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Asimov's Guide to Shakespeare: A Guide to Understanding and Enjoying the Works of Shakespeare [Hardcover]

Isaac Asimov
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (37 customer reviews)


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Book Description

September 2, 2003
Shakespeare's genius is marked by his rare ability to appeal to theatergoers of all types and all levels of education. But for most modern folks, the Greek and Roman mythology and history, let alone the history of England and the geography of sixteenth-century Europe that his works are laden with, are hardly within our grasp. Isaac Asimov comes to making obscure issues clear to the layperson, selects key passages from 38 of the great bard's plays plus two of his narrative poems and, with the help of beautifully rendered maps an figures, illuminates us about their historical and mythological background.


Editorial Reviews

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Shakespeare's genius is marked by his rare ability to appeal to theatergoers of all types and all levels of education. But for most modern folks, the Greek and Roman mythology and history, let alone the history of England and the geography of sixteenth-century Europe that his works are laden with, are hardly within our grasp. Isaac Asimov comes to making obscure issues clear to the layperson, selects key passages from 38 of the great bard's plays plus two of his narrative poems and, with the help of beautifully rendered maps an figures, illuminates us about their historical and mythological background.

Product Details

  • Hardcover: 1536 pages
  • Publisher: Avenel; Later Printing edition (September 2, 2003)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0517268256
  • ISBN-13: 978-0517268254
  • Product Dimensions: 6.4 x 2.6 x 9.2 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 3.4 pounds
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #206,865 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
(37)
4.6 out of 5 stars
I found this to be very helpful in understanding the varied settings in Shakespeare's plays. Patrick Mcgranaghan  |  16 reviewers made a similar statement
Asimov writes as if he were speaking directly to the reader. Craig Clarke  |  1 reviewer made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
166 of 168 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Accessible to scholars and novices alike August 14, 2001
Format:Hardcover
When I first saw Asimov's Guide to Shakespeare in a bargain book section of a local bookstore, I was a bit surprised that Asimov had a guide to Shakespeare. I decided to pick it up because it was on sale and read his entries on some plays that I have read.

I didn't know what to expect, but after reading a few pages into it, I was hooked. Asimov, with amazing astuteness, has given a thorough analysis of twenty three of Shakespeare's plays and the poems Venus and Adonis and the Rape of Lucrece. At the beginning of every play he has a map of all the locations pertinent to the play. I found this to be very helpful in understanding the varied settings in Shakespeare's plays.

The chapters on the plays read a bit like something you might find in Monarch or Cliffs notes. He goes through the tale and gives pertinent information along the way. However this book isn't merely a substitute for reading Shakespeare, nor is the aim of it to prepare you for an exam. Rather this book's aim is to guide the modern reader, who is distanced by time and geography from Shakespeare's stories, along to better understand Shakespeare.

If you're looking for a down-to-Earth book on Shakespeare, this is it. No one, quite as well as Asimov does, can make the reader feel so at ease in reading the fancy language of Shakespeare.

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73 of 75 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A Joy To Read November 27, 2005
Format:Hardcover
This book is 100% analysis and comments, it contains no works. For that you need another book as a reference as you read this present book. Of all the Shakespeare analysis books, this is book by Asimov is one of the best books available, and very reader friendly and entertaining.

Here is the analogy. Your hobby is Shakespeare and you have just won the lottery. You have decided to quit your day job, shun the world, sit down, and go over every one of Shakespeare's plays, dissect each scene in chronological order, find out where the characters' names came from, how the plot relates to original source stories such as the myth of King Lear, etc. You research such facts - as they might be available - on whether Shakespeare really did invent the plot of the Tempest all on his own, or as Asimov thinks perhaps it was based on a boat crash in Bermuda. You would go on and on... looking at all the interesting details and side notes plus you would find some maps and drawings. Then - possibly five years later - you would take all the notes, hire Tom Clancy or some other well known modern novel writer and together you would write this easy to read 750 page reference book. Perhaps you could sell a few copies.

That would be your labour of love, and that it exactly what we have here. Asimov has taken the time to methodically go through all the major works, divide them into three groups, i.e.: Roman-Greek and ancient tales, Italian-Mediterranean more modern tales, and finally the English-Europe stories starting with King Lear. He does not need a writer's help - he brings that to the table. Each play is treated in a short chapter and gets about 20 to 40 pages of analysis, general source comments, and specific comments on a few key lines.
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41 of 42 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Useful Historical Analysis June 4, 2005
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
While watching or reading one of Shakespeare's plays, it's interesting to read the notes of some of the different critics. Peter Levi does a wonderful job following the poetry and language of Shakespeare as it develops over his lifetime, in the context of the other writers of his era. Harold Bloom, of course, finds in Shakespeare both a mirror and an impulse for a leap forward in literature and therefore in society. Bloom has fallen in love with certain of Shakespeare's characters (Falstaff, Hamlet, etc.) and uses them as a yardstick for all others.

Asimov takes a more historical view. He has done impressive research into the characters and times. His "Guide to Shakespeare" is useful for its insights into all of the plays, but I found it most useful for the English histories. In the eight plays of the Wars of the Roses --from Richard II, through the Henrys, and culminating in Richard III-- Asimov tracks the family trees and politics of the nobility, spots anachronisms, and does a wonderful job of simplifying the sometimes bewildering array of characters and historical references. Of course, even uneducated audiences in Shakespeare's day would have understood some of these arcane references without a guidebook, much as a modern US audience would easily understand references to Thomas Jefferson or Abraham Lincoln. With his research and clear writing, Asimov brings the history plays --and indeed all of the plays-- back to life.
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21 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I bought my old edition of Asimov's Guide to Shakespeare at the Southern Oregon Shakespearean Festival bookstore some twenty years ago. I have used the text to prepare my neices, nephews, and grandchildren for their first experiences with live performances of the tragedies, comedies, and romances performed by the Ashland repertory company. Asimov's narrative includes just enough Shakespearean diaglogue to allow the novice playgoer a glimpse of the richness of language, wit, and perception contained in each play. That glimpse is all my young pupils needed to attend (in all senses of that word) their first plays at age 10 and to keep attending these twenty years. And Asimov's insightful interpretation of each play has kept me reading him as well as the Bard as I prepare to introduce a second generation of children to great threatre. I am ordering a new copy of the book, as my old one has been worn out.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Asimov's Guide to Shakespeare
I have an older edition which I find essential to understanding Shakespeare's plays.I wanted another edition as a gift for a grandchild.
Published 5 months ago by Anita Kraft
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant and funny
I love going back and forth between the text of the play and the Asimov commentary. He provides excellent historical context for both the events of the play, and for the events in... Read more
Published 5 months ago by D. Belden
4.0 out of 5 stars Not as pictured, but still a good book
This book came to me in the amount of time described. I'm happy to have the work, even though the pages are rapidly deteriorating. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Ms. Picky
4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful introduction and a controversial wealth of insight to dip...
Isaac Asimov

Asimov's Guide to Shakespeare

Avenel, Hardback, 1978.
8vo. xiv+670+843 pp. 2 vols. in one. Introduction by the author [vii-x]. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Alexander Arsov
5.0 out of 5 stars Lost my copy in a move so replacing it...
I have used this book as a reference in college and for discussion points with friends. Excellent, clear explanation of the subject.
Published 7 months ago by Red Hatter
5.0 out of 5 stars Asimov: a brand of his own
Isaac Asimov(mhrp)is a never-fail brand name. While some of his science fiction becomes dated as science itself advances, his wide, eclectic vision has not. Read more
Published on October 26, 2010 by N. Miller
2.0 out of 5 stars Suffers from Significant Flaws
Asimov's Guide to Shakespeare is simple in its structure. Taking all the plays, Asimov looks at some hard-to-understand or important quote, explaining obscure words. Read more
Published on April 24, 2010 by Avital Pilpel
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect companion
A brilliant book by a brilliant author! Asimov is a master at making difficult things accessible. For each play, he offers a detailed guide to the plot, extensive historical... Read more
Published on January 27, 2010 by Ken Stephenson
4.0 out of 5 stars Solid Background, Shaky Interpretation
For each play, Isaac Asimov here provides a wealth of valuable background information. As he writes, this is the main purpose of the book. Read more
Published on July 7, 2009 by Jackson K. Eskew
5.0 out of 5 stars Scientist illuminated literature
Excellent book, benefitting from clarity of thinking and breadth of factual support not often found in literary writing.
Published on April 15, 2009 by esp
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Topic From this Discussion
Is this book the 2 volumes in one..
I ordered a used copy and received just Volume I, but it is also a different edition than the one shown here. The play I am writing a paper on is not in volume 1, so I am hesitant to order another copy unless I can see the table of contents.
Jul 21, 2007 by Hedi A. Bingham |  See all 3 posts
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