- Hardcover: 272 pages
- Publisher: Thames & Hudson Ltd; First Edition edition (22 April 1996)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 050001700X
- ISBN-13: 978-0500017005
- Product Dimensions: 23.1 x 17 x 4.1 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 959,059 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- See Complete Table of Contents
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Product Description
Product Description
The riddle of Shakespeare's authorship remains one of the great mysteries of the modern world. Was the famous writer and poet a fraud and a plagarist? Was Shakespeare the "upstart crow" described by Greene as strutting in borrowed feathers, or Johnson's "Poet-Ape" who patched together plays from other's work? Was his name merely a pseudonym for a well known contemporary figure. The orthodox view is that the author of the works of Shakespeare was the actor and businessman of Stratford-upon-Avon. But the known facts about this man are suprisingly meagre and contrast puzzlingly with the learned courtly philosopher revealed in the Sonnets and plays. Scholars and eccentrics have devoted years to the search for evidence and many different theories have been put forward. Some believe that Francis Bacon may have used the name of an obscure actor to disseminate his philosophy; others thought that Hamlet mirrored the psyche of the Earl of Oxford; and yet others suggest that Marlowe was not killed, as thought, in a drunken brawl but lived on secretly to write as Shakespeare. This book investigates the many claims and counter-claims of Shakespeare's identity. It lays out the evidence and arguments for various candidates, not forgetting Shakespeare himself, and provides a dry commentary on the research.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Although I had vaguely heard of the Shakespeare authorship controversies I had never paid much attention until I read John Michell's book. Now I'm hooked. With precision and thoroughness he traces the background to the controversy as it has developed over the last century or so, while at the same time providing a fine account of what is known about the original events and the characters involved. He presents the facts with a wry objectivity that is extremely entertaining, and his own comments are always pertinent without being didactic. This is a book guaranteed to get you surfing the web for the supporters of the various candidates' submissions and coming out the other side having changed your mind yet again. Any conclusions? Only that this one, as they say, will run and run.
14 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
For anyone who denies that there is a case to answer about the identity of the author of the plays of William Shakespeare I would urge them to read this. And to the "amateur" neutral it is a totally absorbing, fascinating and challenging story of identity and intrigue in Elizabethan England which matches any spy thriller. The incredible details and coincidences, clues and possibilities are rich food for thought and Michel explains it all reasonably and objectively. The main suspects - the Stratford Shakspere, Earl of Oxford, Francis Bacon and Christopher Marlowe are all covered well but there are other amazingly possible single candidates and group conspiracy theories to astound and delight. It will make you want to delve deeper and deeper. Brilliant.
12 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
John Michell has produced a total masterpiece in this work. He pulls together all the strands of Shake-spearian controversy into an eloquent, witty tome which is a joy to read. If I ever meet this man, I shall buy him a pint.
The only thing lacking is a thourough annotation system, but he references throughout the text.
If you are even slightly interested in Shake-spear or theatre, or complex detective stories, then buy this book.
The best thing of all is it's ballanced nature. All sides of the argument are given. It's up to you to decide what is what at the end of the day. Buy this book. Then buy it again for a friend. I hope John Michell gets the Kudos he so richly deserves for writing this.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Who wrote Shakespeare?
The question mark in the title is the clue to this book. If you want to know all the arguments about the authorship question without wanting to come to any definitive conclusion,... Read more
Published 3 days ago by Aristotelian
Amusing in parts, but ....
This is an amusing summary of many of the authorship ideas which have been touted. It is readable and engaging, with much detail given to the rival theories. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Marco19
Just one or many Shakespeares?
Unless something exceptional is discovered in a dusty attic, library shelf or book unread for many decades, no matter what happens, we will still have the plays themselves and the... Read more
Published 9 months ago by RR Waller
EXCELLENT!
A fantastic and interesting book, that guides the reader effortlessly through what is quite a muddly topic and fuses together all the evidence in an unbiased manner. Read more
Published on 14 April 2009 by Ann
Still the best..
Having just read the rather disappointing "Shakespeare Secret", and the much better "The Truth Will Out", I returned to Mitchell's book wondering if it was still as enjoyable and... Read more
Published on 24 Mar 2008 by JayDee
Enthralling
What a wonderful book. Profound scolarship written in such an entertaining and balanced style. I found this absolutely enthralling and was so disappointed when I came to the end. Read more
Published on 23 Mar 2008 by jasa
So-so at best
Being interested in the Shakespeare authorship controversy I thought I'd give this book a go, but really, you'd be better off with Bill Bryson's Shakespeare. Read more
Published on 28 Nov 2007 by Eggball
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