Shakespeare

The World as Stage

By: Bill Bryson

Narrated by: Bill Bryson

Length: 5 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

William Shakespeare, the most celebrated poet in the English language, left behind nearly a million words of text, but his biography has long been a thicket of wild supposition arranged around scant facts. With a steady hand and his trademark wit, Bill Bryson sorts through this colorful muddle to reveal the man himself.

Bryson documents the efforts of earlier scholars, from academics to eccentrics. Emulating the style of his famous travelogues, Bryson records episodes in his research, including a visit to a bunker-like basement room in Washington, D.C., where the world's largest collection of First Folios is housed.

Bryson celebrates Shakespeare as a writer of unimaginable talent and enormous inventiveness, a coiner of phrases ("vanish into thin air", "foregone conclusion", "one fell swoop") that even today have common currency. His Shakespeare is like no one else's: the beneficiary of Bryson's genial nature, his engaging skepticism, and a gift for storytelling unrivaled in our time.

©2007 Bill Bryson (P)2007 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

"Bryson is a pleasant and funny guide to a subject at once overexposed and elusive." ( Publishers Weekly)

Brilliant

I was totally involved in this work. Highly recommended. Do yourself a favor! Listen.

Great Summary

Terrific short account of Shakespeare’s life. Especially good on the authorship question, which leaves little room other claimants.

Excellent overview

As always with Bryson, he gives an excellent all around view of the subject without drowning you in minutiae. Quick, enjoyable listen.

A fun read/listen

Would you listen to Shakespeare again? Why?

Yes, to go over historical facts as Bryson saw them.

What about Bill Bryson’s performance did you like?

He is some what different from other performers, it's his own book and he read it with energy.

Great info about Shakespeare

I didn't realize how little I knew about the Bard until I listened to this book. Bryson does an excellent job of summing up Shakespeare's life in an engaging way. He reads it well, too. He points out where the historical record is thin and where we have solid information about Shakespeare. It's incredible to learn how we know what we do (and don't) about the Bard. The last chapter is great. I wouldn't say this is a comedic book, but it's very entertaining and does have some good laughing moments too.

Captivating and astonishing

Bill Bryson’s books are amazing and my two favorite ones are this one and A Short History of Nearly Everything. He is a very good narrator and does this book superbly well. The book itself is a gem and the best and most accessible book on the history and historicity of Shakespeare. Absolutely adored this book and now me and my wife are watching a variety of Shakespeare movies again. Will definitely be rereading the bard as well.

Bill Bryson never disappoints!

Engaging and thoroughly researched book on the life and work of someone we think we know. As a secondary teacher, I’ve taught Romeo and Juliet and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and I’ve studied Shakespeare in specific graduate courses to broaden my learning and understanding of the man and his times. Bryson’s work is accurate and enlightening. I’ve added a couple of wrinkles to my brain! Thanks for taking on the Bard!

Brison's Shakespeare triumph

Not only will you enrich to Bryson's oft bemused accounting in what we truly know of Shakespeare, but also sooth to his own voice in informed narration of his words. Cheers, maf

Wonderful story

Bill Bryson is one of my most favorite writers. I just love hearing his self narrated works
Highly recommended

Delightfully Bill Bryson

Read by the author, so you get all of his wonderful wit, charm, and expression.