A review by bennettanneb
Shakespeare: The World as Stage by Bill Bryson

4.0

I've enjoyed previous books by Bill Bryson, and this proved no exception. His survey of Will Shakespeare's life (what little we know of it) was nicely balanced, with numerous comments reminding the reader not to extrapolate too far from the little factual information we actually have. He also nicely does away with the "Anti-Stratford" theorists, those who insist the Shakespeare couldn't possibly have written his plays and have put forward a number of possible authors.

It's also a short book so it's not overwhelming -- truly nice balance between a dense scholarly work and a hastily dashed off book with no scholarship at all. A very enjoyable read!