Shakespeare: The World as Stage
Encyclopedia
Shakespeare: The World as Stage is a biography of William Shakespeare
by author Bill Bryson
. The 199-page book is part of Harper Collins' series of biographies, "Eminent Lives
". The focus of the book is to state what little is known conclusively about Shakespeare, and how this information is known, with some discussion of disproved theories, myths, and that which is believed by the public but not provable.
The book is also available as an unabridged audiobook, published by Harper Audio and read by the author.
: "Right off, the author’s established his blithe and sunny tone: If a trio of witches were cooking up this book in a cauldron, there’d be a pinch of P.G. Wodehouse, a soupçon of Sir Osbert Lancaster
and a cup of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
. One can be firm of purpose and blithe at the same time, it turns out; one can write a seriously entertaining book."
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon"...
by author Bill Bryson
Bill Bryson
William McGuire "Bill" Bryson, OBE, is a best-selling American author of humorous books on travel, as well as books on the English language and on science. Born an American, he was a resident of Britain for most of his adult life before moving back to the US in 1995...
. The 199-page book is part of Harper Collins' series of biographies, "Eminent Lives
Eminent Lives
The Eminent Lives series is Harper Collins' series of "brief biographies by distinguished authors on canonical figures." The general editor of the series is James Atlas....
". The focus of the book is to state what little is known conclusively about Shakespeare, and how this information is known, with some discussion of disproved theories, myths, and that which is believed by the public but not provable.
The book is also available as an unabridged audiobook, published by Harper Audio and read by the author.
Critical reception
Nancy Dalva wrote in the New York ObserverNew York Observer
The New York Observer is a weekly newspaper first published in New York City on September 22, 1987, by Arthur L. Carter, a very successful former investment banker with publishing interests. The Observer focuses on the city's culture, real estate, the media, politics and the entertainment and...
: "Right off, the author’s established his blithe and sunny tone: If a trio of witches were cooking up this book in a cauldron, there’d be a pinch of P.G. Wodehouse, a soupçon of Sir Osbert Lancaster
Osbert Lancaster
Sir Osbert Lancaster, CBE was an English cartoonist, author, art critic and stage designer, best known to the public at large for his cartoons published in the Daily Express.-Biography:Lancaster was born in London, England...
and a cup of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Arthur Conan Doyle
Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle DL was a Scottish physician and writer, most noted for his stories about the detective Sherlock Holmes, generally considered a milestone in the field of crime fiction, and for the adventures of Professor Challenger...
. One can be firm of purpose and blithe at the same time, it turns out; one can write a seriously entertaining book."