I am a great fan of Shakespeare, so when I bought this book what I was expecting wasn't what I saw. I saw the most intriguing sonnets probaly ever known to man. It wasn't all about love and fear. It was involving a great many things. It had all the human feelings, sadness, happieness, hate, love, curiosity, fear, pain, grief, stress, and you get the ideal. I don't want to give it away so if you seem interested read this wounderful book.

I read these sonnets two a day over the summer, and I wish there were more than 154 of them so I could keep going into the fall. I think I'll pick up "The Tempest" next.

The poetry in this volume is beautiful, equisite and full of passion. What makes Shakespeare worth reading is the way he lets the world into his lines. His metaphors appeal deliciously to the senses, like a beam of sunlight through a high window in the afternoon, or the smell of a new cut lawn in the spring. Shakespeare's writing is immortal, not because a conspiracy of teachers got together and decided it should be, but because it is full of life, and nothing that is full of life can really ever die.

If you're not used to reading Elizabthean English or are put off by the thought of Shakespeare, this is a good place to start. This edition helpfully "translates" each sonnet into modern English on a facing page along with definitions for the more troubling words. Even with the help, I still don't think Shakespeare is all that easy to read. But anything you do in this world that makes you feel more passionate about life is a pretty good thing. If you give Shakespeare some of your time, he's bound to pay you back with plenty of interest.

This edition of Shakespear's sonnets is all you need to read and understand the great Bard.

A very nice feature is the paraphrasing of the sonnets in contemporary English and a translation into ordinary language of the more difficult words.

The edition is a paperback small enough to be carried around to read during one's leisure.

One of his lesser known works, Shakespeare's Trojan play is also one of his most intriguing. Not quite a burlesque, 'Troilus and Cressida''s lurches in tone, from farce to historical drama to romance to tragedy, and its blurring of these modes, explains why generations of critics and audiences have found it so unsatisfying, and why today it can seem so modern. Its disenchanted tone, its interest in the baser human instincts underlying (classical) heroism look forward to such 20th century works as Giraudoux's 'The Trojan War Will Not Take Place' or Terry Jones' 'Chaucer's Knight'; the aristocratic ideals of Love and War, inextricably linked in this play, are debased by the merchant-class language of exchange, trade, food, possesion - the passionate affair at its centre is organised by the man who gave his name to pimps, Pandarus, and is more concerned with immediate sexual gratification than anything transcendental. The Siege of Troy sequences are full of the elaborately formal rhetoric we expect from Shakespeare's history plays, but well-wrought diplomacy masks ignoble trickery; the great heroes Ajax and Achilles are petulant egotists, the latter preferring the company of his catamite to combat; the actual war sequences, when they finally come, are a breathless farce of exits and entrances. There are a lot of words in this play, but very few deeds.

Paris, Prince of Troy, has abducted Helen, wife of Menelaus, King of Sparta. Led by the latter's brother Agamemnon, and his Machiavellian advisors Ulysses and Nestor, the Greeks besiege Troy, demanding the return of Helen. However, Achilles' dissatisfaction at the generals' endless politicking has spread discontent in the ranks. Within Troy, war takes a distinct second place to matters of the heart. While Paris wallows in luxury with his prize, his youngest brother Troilus uses Pandarus as a go-between to arrange a night of love with his niece, Cressida. When one of the Trojan leaders is taken prisoner by the Greeks, the ransom price is Cressida.

There is only one character in 'Troilus' who can be said to be at all noble and not self-interested, the eldest Trojan prince Hector, who, despite his odd interpreation of the quality 'honour', detests a meaningless war, and tries to spare as many of his enemies' lives as he can. He is clearly an anachronism, however, and his ignoble slaughter at the hands of a brutal gang suggests what price chivalry. Perhaps the most recognisable character is Thirsitis, the most savagely cynical of his great Fools. Imagine Falstaff without the redeeming lovability - he divests heroes and events of their false values, satirises motivations, abuses his dim-witted 'betters' and tries to preserve his life at any cost. Written in between 'Hamlet' and 'All's Well That Ends Well', 'Troilus' bears all the marks of Shakespeare's mid-period: the contrapuntal structure, the dense figures, the audacious neologisms, and the intitially deferred, accelerated action. If some of the diplomacy scenes are too efective in their parodic pastiche of classical rhetoric, and slow things down, Act 5 is an amazing dramatic rush, crowning the play's disenchantment with love (with an extraordinarily creepy three-way spaying of an infidelity) and war.

The New Penguin Shakespeare is the most accessible and user-friendly edition for students and the general reader (although it does need updating). Unlike the Oxford or Arden series, which offer unwieldy introductions (yawning with irrelevant conjecture about dates and sources) and unusable notes (clotted with tedious pedantry more concerned with fighting previous commentators than elucidating Shakespeare), the Penguin's format offers a clear Introduction dealing with the play and its contexts, an appendix 'An Account of the Text', and functional endnotes that gloss unfamiliar words and difficult passages. The Introduction is untainted by fashions in Critical Theory, but is particularly good at explaining the role of Time ('When time is old and hath forgot itself...And blind oblivion swallowed cities up'), the shifting structure, the multiple viewpoints in presenting characters, and Shakespeare's use of different literary and linguistic registers.

Troilus and Cressida is one of Shakespear`s many romances, and, like most of his romances, is a tragedy. Since time immemorial, Shakespears` works have been used as plays, literature and (least often) just casual reading. While Troilus and Cressida is one of the less known plays, it is no less a good one. It is based in Troy(as the name might imply)during the much renowned Trojan War. The valiant Troilus, son of the Trojan king is enamoured of Cressida, also of Troy. Meanwhile, the Greek hosts have laid siege to the city, and the warrior Achilles refuses to fight, encouraging further interaction between the two sides. Cressida, however, is the daughter of a Greek sympathizer(if that is the correct word)and may not be able to honour her commitment to the Trojan prince...

I think this is one os Shakespeare's most underrated plays, probably because of all the uncouth characters. Based on Chaucer's rendition of the story, T and C are Trojan lovers, and she is then traded to the Greeks in exchange for captive soldiers. Aside from this, the women of Troy are wanton and lustful, and the men are prowess driven. If you can deal with this, you will really enjoy Shakespeare's ability to wrap this into all kinds of twists and turns. It delivers a mixture of satire, comedy, romance, tragedy, and a semi-historical (in that people at the time probably believed the Trojan War really happened). Interestingly, this mixture of laughs and tragedy is reminiscent of war novels I have read about Vietnam. The romantic dimensions give this play its edge, and somehow WS manages to make it plausible in spite of all the killing and deceit going on at the same time.

Dana Filmore is the first African American Secretary of State. She is smart and attractive. She is also in danger. She learns of the President's plans to do something that could affect the lives of millions of Americans. She must stop him. However, she cannot trust anyone to help her. She meets Kasi Martin, an African American District Attorney. He is smart and handsome. When they meet at a social function, they instantly like each other. Still, Dana isn't sure if she can trust him.However, Dana is forced to trust Kasi when her life is threatened. Dana and Kasi find themselves together on the run from someone who wants to kill them.This story is a noble effort. William could have written more about the actual political maneuvers and less on the character's thoughts. Although this story is fast past, it is also predictable. The murder is weak. The reader instantly knows the murderer and the victim. That could have been a mystery.Dana and Kasi are credible characters. Their intelligence saves them in many situations. They also are secure in their identity and their roles.I still recommend the book. It is an easy read.

Excalibur's Defeat is a great book. The time and research you put into this book shows. I really enjoyed your ability to allow the readers to access the mindset of your characters. Power, politics, looks; murder etc. is a perfect fit in this book. With any of these subjects you could have written separate books but your talent allowed us to have all of this in one book. It's fast pace and the characters are well developed. You definitely have what it takes to make it. Keep up the good work.

Good mystery. Face pace. Quick read. Mr. Wright "ain't" playing around. Most of the characters are pretty well fleshed out. Never thought I enjoyed political thrillers too much; but, I must confess I enjoyed this one immensely. I guess what enhanced it even more was the African American "flava" that was flowing throughout the book. Ms. Filmore is an Intelligent sista. Definitely, held my interest. Maybe only compliant was that it was too short. I wanted to learn more about certain characters. Overall, definitely, it should be on a summer reading list. Not too heavy; but, not too light, either. Just right.... Hey I'm so proud to see fellow brotha's and sista's doing their thing with writing. Much continued success in your future endeavors and I can't wait until the next one....

As a given, the quality of the content is unsurpassed. Even to this day, Shakespeare must surely remain as one of the finest craftsmen (if not the finest) of the modern English language, and all English-speakers would do well to harken to the Bard.

Anyway, this printing (hardcover) is very attractive, at a distance. The leather (if it's genuine) is not of the highest quality, the pages have a tendency to stick together upon first opening of the book, a result of which is the rare white streak in the text. On a more positive note, the glossary at the back is of frequent use, though it lacks some words esoteric to this modern, American reader. I haven't really read their notes that also come in the back, so I can't comment on them.

However, the fact that one can obtain the complete works of Shakespeare, hardcover in leather, for a reasonable price, itself makes this edition desireable.

How dare you question the master's work! Shakespeer is nmot on trial--you are on trial becasue he is the best.

I think the key is that everyone rips him off--Ethan Hawke, Mel Gibson, stanley tucci, and Alley Mac Beel all copy him with their films.

SO buy this book and be edified.

This is a beautifully leather bound book. I was more than pleased with the quality of this book. Was even more amazed at the price. I was not expecting much based on the price because I expected something of this quality to cost much more.

This is essential reading for anyone interested in Shakespeare's religion--an issue that recurs continually among Shakespeare scholars. Professor Wright sees the history plays as vital expressions of Shakespeare's patriotism containing a common-sense argument for the Anglican Church as the proper spiritual adjunct of the English (and Tudor)Crown. He makes a persuasive case for Shakespeare as an immensely intelligent, well-read and theologically literate defender of the Anglican Church. This is a powerful (and readable) antidote to the light-weight theorizing about Shakespeare as a Lancashire Catholic.

This book brings back the many forgotten works of William Wurster. It balances the architect's story and illustrations well. I recommend this book to architecture enthusiasts who want to reach beyond mainstream architecture.

This is the best work of Shakespeare that I have read. It contains jems of wisdom, such as the fall of Cardinal Wolsey, or the sympathetic speaches of Queen Catherine. These are also events of history, not far removed from Shakespeare's own times; tragic events which ultimately reshaped the world we live in.

Lillian Hellman was one of the greatest playwrights of the 20th Century. American theatre goers can never forget her classic works,The Children's Hour and The Little Foxes. Her talents didn't stop at playwriting for this great woman went on to write screenplays, news articles and produced a highly acclaimed best selling autobiography. Such a prolific writer and talent has much to share with her readers about her life.

Lillian Hellman:The Image, The Woman is a well researched in depth portrait of the woman that we don't know. Moving beyond the gossip and criticism about Hellman's life, the author gives us a view of her childhood, career and declining days. We get the opportunity to see what made this woman into the great playwright that she was in light of her radical politics, passion and provincial attitudes that were a part of her personality.

Reading about her life makes you wonder how did she ever become writer? Although she has intriguing relationships it is interesting to find her being able to achieve beyond the fortunes of those who mentored her. Her outspoken voice during the McCarthy era makes you wonder how this lady survived. Going through her life you find a woman very much in control of her career, highly protective of those she loves and is not beyond making embellishments about the truth.

I thoroughly enjoyed this intimate portrait of this woman with all of her positive and negative qualities. Her biographer is not judgemental about her life but calls into question those areas in which she was evasive. He doesn't swamp you in cheap gossip or petty quarrels about the merits of her work. Hellman is pictured as an imperfect woman but one who has enriched us with her remarkable life and works. You will come away wanting to know more about her plays and feeling a deep appreciation for the development of this playwright.

As a dealer in Southwestern American Indian fine arts and hand crafted, traditional items, I am always on the lookout for books I can recommend to our collectors and students of the indigenous arts here in America.

The Peabody Museum Press has produced a work that should be included the library of every serious collector of traditional Southwestern American Indian handcrafted arts. For collectors of Navajo and Pueblo textiles and baskets we consider it mandatory reading. It's overview and cataloging of the highly regarded William Wright Collection is particularly notable for its excellent introduction, descriptions of the lifeways and cultural traditions of the artists, and collateral detail notes found throughout. Editor, Penelope Ballard Drooker has given us a very readable distillation of information from many sources which serves to enhance the understanding of the evolution of the state of the arts invbolved in the time frame they were collected: 1960's - 70's.

We especially appreciated the detail photography. While the reproduction of some of the images seemed a bit flat, overall they were still well -lit and shot with sufficient depth of field to convey the textural nature of many of the items very well. The color sections, especially conveyed the vitaltiy of the works pictured.

From the perspective of the serious collector, Publications like this provide us with insight and further expand our knowledge of the development and marketing of these arts as well as the acheivements of individual artists. Few of us can travel frequently enough to benefit from exhibitions of collections as broad and thoughful as the William Wright Collection. Catalog publications, when presented in as complete a manner as Makers and Markets allow us all the benefits without the miles.

We will encourage our collectors to obtain copies for their own continuing education and enjoyment.

This is a story about a little girl how overcame obstacles by following her dreams and the advice of her mother.