The Shakespeare Book

All the big ideas, simply explained – an innovative and accessible guide to the complete works of Shakespeare

\“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 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.