The Globe guide to Shakespeare The plays, the productions, the life

The activities of this year's 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death make us especially aware of the playwright's huge cultural impact. Dickson's (Worlds Elsewhere: Journeys Around Shakespeare's Globe) intention in writing this book is to "cut a path through the jungle" to each play, the major poetry, central critical works, the best editions, as well as to provide concise treatment of the chief biographical and historical questions. He has succeeded beautifully. For each play the book includes, in separate sections: an act-by-act synopsis; a brief entry on the probable date of composition, sources, and textual history; a well-written, unbiased interpretive essay, identifying themes and background; a worldwide stage history of pivotal productions on stage and screen; an annotated list of the best available screen and audio adaptations, showing lead cast, production company, and date; and the best available edition. Shakespeare's major poems, often given short shrift, are treated in the same manner as the plays. Short topical essays on the Bard's life and time round out the volume, including: essays on early modern English, the canon, stagecraft, and sources for kids. VERDICT This reviewer can't imagine a better source to recommend to students. Playgoers needing a reference guide before and/or after going to the theater will be delighted.-Paul A. D'Alessandro, Brunswick, ME © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.