As someone who has only ‘discovered’ Shakespeare in her 40s, I think this book is the perfect introduction to him and his life.



I didn’t really know an awful lot about Shakespeare apart from the fact that he died on St George’s day, and that this date is popularly given as his birth date too. This is taken from the Christening records which show he was baptised on 26th April. It was usual for babies to be baptised within a few days of birth due to high infant mortality rates. Oh, and obviously I knew he was the Bard from Stratford-upon-Avon, but there my knowledge ended!



This book also contains interesting facts about the Elizabethan and Jacobean periods of history, all told with Bryson’s trademark wry humour, albeit that it’s not as funny as some of his other offerings. I certainly wouldn’t recommend it to anyone know knows Shakespeare’s life well, but to a novice, it’s definitely a great place to start.