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John Michell
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Who Wrote Shakespeare? Paperback – 19 April 1999

by John Michell (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 27 ratings
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Was the famous poet and writer really a fraud and plagarist? Was his name really a pseudonym for a well-known contemporary figure? These questions have been debated since the 18th century. The facts about Shakespeare are surprisingly meagre, and contrast puzzlingly with the learned, courtly philosopher revealed in the sonnets and plays. Respected scholars and obsessive eccentrics have put forward many theories, suggesting that the works of Shakespeare were written by Francis Bacon, the Earl of Oxford, or Marlow. This is an investigation of the claims and counter-claims, reading like a series of detective stories. He lays out the evidence and the arguments for the various candidates, not forgetting Shakespeare himself, and provides a drily humorous commentary on the research and prejudices of their champions while adding insights of his own.
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  1. Print length
    272 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Thames and Hudson Ltd
  4. Publication date
    19 April 1999
  5. Dimensions
    16.51 x 1.57 x 23.5 cm
  6. ISBN-10
    0500281130
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0500281130
  8. See all details
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Product description

Review

'Fascinating and plain cheeky'
--The Week

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Thames and Hudson Ltd; Revised ed. edition (19 April 1999)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 272 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0500281130
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0500281130
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 16.51 x 1.57 x 23.5 cm
  • Customer reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 27 ratings

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John Michell

John Michell

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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
27 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book an interesting read with a good knowledge base. They appreciate the overview of the subject and the mystery aspect.

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4 customers mention ‘Readability’4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book an engaging read.

"A great book...." Read more

"Item arrived well wrapped and on time. Its a very interesting read which has had me engrossed from the start...." Read more

"What a wonderful book. Profound scolarship written in such an entertaining and balanced style...." Read more

"this book is a good read but will certainly introdce a large question mark to the author of the plays and poems of elizabethian england...." Read more

3 customers mention ‘Knowledge base’3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's knowledge base. They find it useful to have all the major theories in one place, and they enjoy the mystery aspect.

"...was the true author of Shakespeare's work, this book presents all the major theories with their clues, controversies, points in favour and against...." Read more

"...We love a good mystery, after all life would be really dull if we really knew what happened to the Marie Celeste or who was Jack the Ripper." Read more

"An excellent overview of the subject..." Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • CatsAndBooks
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great to have all the major theories in one book
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 6 December 2016
    Verified Purchase
    A great book. Unlike other books, which focus on one candidate and leave the reader convinced that that person was the true author of Shakespeare's work, this book presents all the major theories with their clues, controversies, points in favour and against. This is an authoritative work, yet very readable.
    I think anyone interested in literature in general, or in Shakespeare in particular, will appreciate this.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars An Interesting Read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 July 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Item arrived well wrapped and on time. Its a very interesting read which has had me engrossed from the start. Although a used book its unblemished except for the title page which has a dedication to someone as a gift. Which is not important to me personally.
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  • Julius S
    5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent overview of the subject
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 16 July 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Extremely detailed discourse on the various oddities regarding the content and presumed authorship of Shakespeare's plays, the author does not attempt to 'grind any particular axe', but does dispel some of the assumptions about Shakespeare and his life which have taken on the cloak of facts over a period of time, particularly those spread by the 'Shakespeare industry' in Stratford on Avon itself.
    7 people found this helpful
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  • jasa
    5.0 out of 5 stars Enthralling
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 23 March 2008
    Verified Purchase
    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. A literary simpleton I was unaware of the controversy surrounding authorship of the works of Shakespeare and though the mystery will never be solved it is fascinating to read of the claims of the various protagonists. It will lead me to read more on the subject but I cannot imagine anything beter than this.
    7 people found this helpful
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  • bob
    5.0 out of 5 stars another revelation of john michell's
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 17 January 2018
    Verified Purchase
    this book is a good read but will certainly introdce a large question mark to the author of the plays and poems of elizabethian england. the probability is a group effort !
    One person found this helpful
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  • Aristotelian
    4.0 out of 5 stars Who wrote Shakespeare?
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 31 May 2012
    Verified Purchase
    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, then this is the book for you. We love a good mystery, after all life would be really dull if we really knew what happened to the Marie Celeste or who was Jack the Ripper.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Pauline 428
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 May 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Brilliant value for money as the book was in excellent condition. Seller highly recommended. Thank you.
    One person found this helpful
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  • juliem
    4.0 out of 5 stars Who did?
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 October 2017
    Verified Purchase
    For anyone interested in the subject a must read. All the various "possibles" discussed in a very accessible way.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Carl W. Corey
    5.0 out of 5 stars A great introduction to the authorship controversy.
    Reviewed in the United States on 17 March 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Michel does an excellent job of outlining the arguments put forward by various famous and not-so-famous participants in this debate over the years. It's not too long; it's full of information; it's well written. It will likely get you thinking.
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  • Melpomene
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United States on 23 October 2014
    Verified Purchase
    One of the best books on the Authorship Question--both objective and lucid.
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  • natasha rowsell
    1.0 out of 5 stars Book is writen in anf hard to read
    Reviewed in the United States on 28 February 2017
    Verified Purchase
    The book i got was writen in.... its hard to read.
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