CliffsNotes Shakespeare's Histories [Paperback]

W. John Campbell (Author), James K. Lowers (Author), Evelyn McLellan (Author), Denis M. Calandra (Author), Jeffery Fisher (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0822000407 | ISBN-13: 978-0822000402 | Publication Date: April 1999 | Edition: 1

Finally! Summaries and Commentaries for All of Shakespeare's histories are available in one easy-to-access volume. Henry VI, Part 1 details the hasty settlement of a dispute and a grave error in judgment that start a fledgling king on a downward spiral. Henry VI, Part 2 describes a second weakness--the king's retreat into religion to avoid difficult decisions concerning policy. The result is the initiation of the Wars of the Roses. Henry VI, Part 3 is a bitter harvest of a king's poor political husbandry. Richard III presents a full-length portrait of a self-confessed egotistically ambitious, physically deformed king who vows to outdo Italy's wicked Machiavelli in order to win the crown of England. King John characterizes the disruption that results from a shallow, unethical monarchy. Richard II chronicles the fall from grandeur of the handsomest king of his time, fawned on by greedy, sycophantic courtiers and deposed by one of his noblemen whom he banishes unfairly and whimsically. Henry IV, Part 1 pivots merrily around the heir to Henry IV--his son, the lusty Prince Hal, who prefers the company of his bawdy tavern friends to his stuffy, conservative, politic-playing peers at court. Henry IV, Part 2 continues the saga of Prince Hal, who doffs his irresponsible attitudes, assumes the throne after the death of his father, and thereby sustains the country's measure of majesty. Henry V completes the portrait of Prince Hal, now Henry V, questing after the French crown and delivering one of the crown jewels of Shakespearean soliloquies--the St. Crispin's Day speech to the troops. Henry VIII pays tribute to the Tudor kings, whose might culminates in the linchpin of the dynasty--Henry's daughter: Elizabeth I.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Finally! Summaries and Commentaries for All of Shakespeare's histories are available in one easy-to-access volume. Henry VI, Part 1 details the hasty settlement of a dispute and a grave error in judgment that start a fledgling king on a downward spiral. Henry VI, Part 2 describes a second weakness—the king's retreat into religion to avoid difficult decisions concerning policy. The result is the initiation of the Wars of the Roses. Henry VI, Part 3 is a bitter harvest of a king's poor political husbandry. Richard III presents a full-length portrait of a self-confessed egotistically ambitious, physically deformed king who vows to outdo Italy's wicked Machiavelli in order to win the crown of England. King John characterizes the disruption that results from a shallow, unethical monarchy. Richard II chronicles the fall from grandeur of the handsomest king of his time, fawned on by greedy, sycophantic courtiers and deposed by one of his noblemen whom he banishes unfairly and whimsically. Henry IV, Part 1 pivots merrily around the heir to Henry IV—his son, the lusty Prince Hal, who prefers the company of his bawdy tavern friends to his stuffy, conservative, politic-playing peers at court. Henry IV, Part 2 continues the saga of Prince Hal, who doffs his irresponsible attitudes, assumes the throne after the death of his father, and thereby sustains the country's measure of majesty. Henry V completes the portrait of Prince Hal, now Henry V, questing after the French crown and delivering one of the crown jewels of Shakespearean soliloquies—the St. Crispin's Day speech to the troops. Henry VIII pays tribute to the Tudor kings, whose might culminates in the linchpin of the dynasty—Henry's daughter: Elizabeth I.

Product Details

• Paperback: 381 pages
• Publisher: Cliffs Notes; 1 edition (April 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0822000407
• ISBN-13: 978-0822000402
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,361,434 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Greatr Preparation, August 29, 2009

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A. G. Brown - See all my reviews
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This review is from: CliffsNotes Shakespeare's Histories (Paperback)

We have been attending plays at the Utah Shakespearean Festival for many years. Some of the plays (particularly the comedies) are accessible with little preparation. Most really do require some preparation to more fully enjoy them. I know that purists insist that the only way to prepare for Shakespeare is to read the play in full. I agree. I also do not have enough time to do that every time I go to the festival. The Cliffs notes series on Shakespeare's plays provides helpful, easy to read summaries, reminding us of what we may have found in a previous reading of the full text of the plays or what we have experienced in a previous performance of that play. Regrettably, the series is out of print, so to discover the availability of this volume - which we did not yet have - was a wonderful surprise.

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent tool for cheaters!, August 28, 2008

By 

Priscilla Stilwell "Music Is Life..." (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: CliffsNotes Shakespeare's Histories (Paperback)

Okay, that's not exactly fair. I'm not in a class for this, I just wanted to get an overview, since it's been quite a few years since I read the histories. Excellent summary.

1 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I loved it!, June 1, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: CliffsNotes Shakespeare's Histories (Paperback)

I loved this book because I got 100 (A+) on my examses because of it! I didnt have to read the real romeo and juliet or macbeth! I just read the resume!