The Shakespeare Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained

By Stanley Wells

Book Overview

All the world's a stage", William Shakespeare wrote, "And all the men and women merely players." Sit back as the curtain goes up on the dramas, sonnets, and life of one of the greatest writers in the English language.

Shakespeare wrote or contributed to more than 40 plays, ranging from romantic comedies to the profound tragedy King Lear, as well as 154 sonnets. The Shakespeare Book has visual plot summaries of each one, with diagrams to show the intricate web of relationships in plays such as A Midsummer's Night Dream. Commentaries explain Shakespeare's sources and set each drama in context, revealing, for instance, how the warring Protestants and Catholics of his day are mirrored in Romeo and Juliet's Montagues and Capulets.

Written in plain English and packed with graphics and illustrations, The Shakespeare Book illumines the Bard's world - his marriage, businesses, and friends - and explains how his works became an enduring phenomenon.

Whether you need a guide through complex plots and unfamiliar language, or you're looking for a fresh perspective on his well-loved plays and sonnets, this indispensable guide will help you fully appreciate Shakespeare, the man, and the writer.

Series Overview: Big Ideas Simply Explained series uses creative design and innovative graphics along with straightforward and engaging writing to make complex subjects easier to understand. With over 7 million copies worldwide sold to date, these award-winning books provide just the information needed for students, families, or anyone interested in concise, thought-provoking refreshers on a single subject.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1465429875
• ISBN13: 9781465429872
• Release Date: March 2015
• Publisher: DK Publishing (Dorling Kindersley)
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 2.59 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 8.0" x 9.4"

Customer Reviews

“All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.”

We have all heard of the Dummies and Idiots series of books, but few “We Happy Few” have found the “Big Ideas Simply Explained” series. One book that stands out is the book “The Shakespeare Book.” We all have favorites; my favorite is Hamlet. However, after reading this book, you may change your mind or add more to your favorites. We get snippets of the play, the background, the context, pictures from the films, a running timeline, family trees, relationship trees, and new perspectives. I have to admit that it helps to know most of the content before reading so you can pick out the jewels that you may have missed. I read from front to back; however, this makes a great reference just before watching the particular play or reading a sonnet. This book is “…such stuff that dreams are made of.”