This book gives a really good synopsis of the plays contained in it, and the background knowledge of the playwrights. Hwoever, when compared to it's "Greek and Roman" counterpart, it's not anywhere near so good (not to say it's a bad book). I found that the history gave a decent concept, but felt it could have gone into more detail. I also felt as though the guide could have ventured into one or two of the ideas behind the play rather than just giving a straight synopsis. But still a very handy guidebook to 20th Century drama, and very more-ish.