book data
287 ratings, 3.64 average rating, 12 reviews
(more data...)
edit
published
2006
(first published 2002)
by Hard Press
binding
Paperback, 98 pages
isbn
140695716X
(isbn13: 9781406957167)
description
When a Salvation Army officer learns that her father, a wealthy armaments manufacturer, has donated lots of money to her organization, she resigns in ...more
Sign in to Goodreads to see your friends' reviews of this book.
There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »
friend reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.
other reviews (showing 1-20 of 357)
This is now the third time I have read Major Barbara for it stands as the ultimate question/answer primer on the necessity of war and the arguments against it. Essentially it is about a young woman who is a Salvation Army girl and her father, the world's largest arms dealer. Their tete-a-tete and the explosions that happen in the relationship have inspired many other books, plays and essays. If you can only read two plays by Shaw, let it be Pygmalion and Major Barbara. If you only read one, let ...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
recommends it for:
Anyone who appreciates a major play.
I always thought that Shaw's personal arrogance shone through his writings, but I also think that he was a terrific amateur psychologist who could take ponderous themes and make people want to buy tickets to see them on the stage.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in April, 2006
Shaw's play has great insight into the financial benefits of war and the challenge of maintaining hegemony, especially within a business. It also has a lot of heart to it.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
This is play and is quite interesting. It kind of depicts social welfare in the form of the Salvation Army and Industrail Capitalism. Who will come out on top?
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 1980
Shaw's satiric bite on war profiteering and the contradictions faced by war opponents is highly apt in the era of Cheney and Halliburton, Move On and Michael Moore.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
La comandante Barbara no le gusta el soborno del cielo. Y eso habla todo por si misma. Me gusta la ética que respira este libro. Kudos to Bernard Shaw!
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
I somehow like Shaw's women.
Major Barbara, Saint Joan, Eliza Dolittle,...they all do whatever it takes to change their circumstances.
Major Barbara, Saint Joan, Eliza Dolittle,...they all do whatever it takes to change their circumstances.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read and saw this one in London during my first study-abroad stint. Loved it! Plus, plays are great to read since they're so short.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in April, 2008
recommends it for:
nerds, fans of both Ibsen and Blake
William Blake + mysticism + Modernism + Crazy Hippie Professor + Attack on Christianity + Shaw = Fun Converation
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
This was a really good play. The characters are great and I love the snarky social commentary.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Another great one by a guy who was on a roll. As heartfelt as it is humorous.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
to-read
(on 31 people's shelves)
plays (on 19 people's shelves)
drama (on 12 people's shelves)
theatre (on 6 people's shelves)
currently-reading (on 5 people's shelves)
literature (on 3 people's shelves)
fiction (on 3 people's shelves)
classic (on 3 people's shelves)
ireland (on 2 people's shelves)
literature- (on 2 people's shelves)
More shelves...
plays (on 19 people's shelves)
drama (on 12 people's shelves)
theatre (on 6 people's shelves)
currently-reading (on 5 people's shelves)
literature (on 3 people's shelves)
fiction (on 3 people's shelves)
classic (on 3 people's shelves)
ireland (on 2 people's shelves)
literature- (on 2 people's shelves)
More shelves...
