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lucyistoocool's review against another edition
4.0
Excellent and concise history of Shakespeare. I learned a lot!! And I just love Bill Bryson. I would listen to him reading a phone book
dillonbrantley's review against another edition
3.0
I hate reading Shakespeare and had zero interest in the man behind the works going into this book. I only started it because it was a historical book by Bill Bryson.
Despite my initial disinterest, I became fascinated with the journey historians have embarked upon to discover what we know (or, really, think we know) about the playwright. Bryson did a great job of presenting the information and (often) the lack thereof, consistently clearing out misconceptions and explaining how historians and scholars have pieced together what we do know about Shakespeare.
Despite my initial disinterest, I became fascinated with the journey historians have embarked upon to discover what we know (or, really, think we know) about the playwright. Bryson did a great job of presenting the information and (often) the lack thereof, consistently clearing out misconceptions and explaining how historians and scholars have pieced together what we do know about Shakespeare.
ezrasupremacy's review against another edition
4.0
combining two of my favourite things — history and shakespeare — made this a wonderful experience.
yet another reminder to myself that i can and do enjoy non-fiction history books
yet another reminder to myself that i can and do enjoy non-fiction history books
jennrocca's review against another edition
4.0
A fairly concise, interesting review of what we actually *know* about Shakespeare. Bryson does a neat job of delineating what actual hard evidence we have for Shakespeare's life versus the conclusions and assumptions we can draw based on circumstantial evidence. It is astounding how little we actually *know* be true. A quick read... as far as Shakespeare biographies go.
sam_vimes_75's review against another edition
5.0
Acknowledging the lack of evidence needed to create an effective biography, Bryson instead opts to create a contextual biography showing life throughout Shakespeare's period. Bryson also effectively and thoroughly demolishes any alternative authorship question. Bryson, as always, produces a charming read.