Starting with the all time great!

If I were trapped on a deserted island and could have only one book it would have to be "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare".  The master wordsmith speaks to the deepest part of my soul.  There is not a word out of place in any of his works.  He knew how to draw on every human emotion: love, fear, hope, pain, strength and a plethora of others.  Shakespeare didn't just write about love; he wrote about all aspects of love.  When he writes every word has a purpose.  Every sentence is packed with emotion and meaning.  His works cross genre's and brings us to entire new worlds. 

The themes of Shakespeare's poems and plays have survived for five-hundred years.  How many soldiers can rally to the call of the St. Crispins' Day speech?  How many women can despair of ever finding a man to love them and fear being left at the alter and so turn into a shrew?  Political intrigue, spies and assassination.  The spark of first love, secret crushes and true love discovered.  Forbidden love.  Revenge.  The thin veil of civility barely cloaking the savage beast within. 

It's amazing to me to think that if it wasn't for the efforts of Shakespeare's friends and the timely invention of the printing press we would have lost too many of his words.  And so I leave you with this.  "What do you read there my Lord?"  "Words, words, words" (Hamlet Act II Scene ii).  Of all the lessons I glean from Shakespeare my favorite one is the power and passion of words.