What do you think?
Rate this book
The Age of Shakespeare
Well-written, loaded with information, and with a rich assortment of illustrations, each Discoveries "RM" volume is a look at one facet of art, archaeology, music, history, philosophy, popular culture, science, or nature. These innovatively designed, affordably priced, compact paperbacks bring ideas to life and amplify our understanding of civilization in a new way.
192 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1993
2 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 6, 2020
Fantastic history of the Bard's life and times as well as his contemporaries!
February 11, 2013
I read this to see if the book was something I could recommend to people as a non-academic introduction to Shakespeare. Alas, it is not. There were four or five flat out mistakes and several other interpretative issues, that is, there is quite a lot presented as fact that is really interpretation. Still, it is the factual errors that are most troubling.
Aside from the errors, the book reads reasonably well, is informative about most Shakespearean issues, weaves in plenty of context to understand the writer in his time, and many of the illustrations are well-chosen as are the readings in the back.
Misinforming readers is a considerable issue, however, so even though there is much to praise in the book I cannot recommend it.
Aside from the errors, the book reads reasonably well, is informative about most Shakespearean issues, weaves in plenty of context to understand the writer in his time, and many of the illustrations are well-chosen as are the readings in the back.
Misinforming readers is a considerable issue, however, so even though there is much to praise in the book I cannot recommend it.
Read
September 26, 2025You definitely have to LIKE Shakespeare to enjoy this book, but I found it very rich, and well done! Some potential for classroom implementation for sure.
June 20, 2020
I thought this was a really good reference for Shakespear's time period. It was really interesting to see what happened when Shakespeare was alive and I would definitely recommend to anyone going to England to see his grave/house/Anne's house. However, I did find that some of the facts of other playwrights dragged on a little as I wasn't overly interested in them.
Another review stated that some facts were false The Age of Shakespeare. Something to be considered, but -not claiming to be an expert in Shakespeare or anything- most of the major facts line up with what my high school English teachers taught me so I think if there were any idiosyncrasies they would not be of overt importance.
A good read!
Another review stated that some facts were false The Age of Shakespeare. Something to be considered, but -not claiming to be an expert in Shakespeare or anything- most of the major facts line up with what my high school English teachers taught me so I think if there were any idiosyncrasies they would not be of overt importance.
A good read!
February 27, 2015
The book gives concise insights about Shakespeare. Anything from his ancestry and how its has been reflected in his plays, histories, folklore, beliefs, cultures and such that inspired the great playwright, the history and rise of plays and theaters in England and etc. You name it. One review did mention there are flaws in the book. There might be so and I would not know as I am no scholar and expert on the area. Regardless, this is a good start to gain acquaintance to the subject.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews