This is a wonderful collection of essays on Richard II. Especially noteworthy is Morgan Griffin's brilliant introduction to the critical history of the play, which synthesizes and critiques decades of scholarly work.

Kirby Farrell narrates this book like a pop-culture icon, yet he remains objective enough to sustain credibility. Heavily influenced by the works of Ernest Becker, Farrell compares seemingly uncomaprable films and novels through a filter of humanities' fears of death and desires for immortality. Farrell makes several strong arguments, yet gets caught up in a bit too many tangents for the general going public. This book is for a scholar. I know this sounds elitest, but this novel is for those who are well read, well versed, and comfortable dealing with topics that will make them feel uncomfortable because of their validity. Farrell has succeeded in created a fine piece of work worthy of coffee tables around the world...that is if you take your coffee black.