William Shakespeare: A Man For All Times.

Shuter, Paul.  William Shakespeare: A Man For All Times.  Capstone/Heinemann  2014  48p  $35.00  ISBN 978-1-4329-9629-1      ms/hs series:  Shakespeare Alive  Biography  VG-BNS

     

This is a well-researched biography about the playwright and poet William Shakespeare, whose 450th birthday will be celebrated in 2014.  Despite the accolades and fame, little concrete information exists about the world’s most famous playwright.  Shuter attempts to separate the truth from myth by taking the reader step-by-step through the evidence and what can be reasonably inferred about Shakespeare’s life, along with related information about the era during which he lived and thrived. Shuter makes good use of primary sources, and photographs and illustrations are included generously throughout the book. 

In addition to a fact-packed narrative, the text includes many sidebars with engaging captions and fascinating information.  Students looking for insight about Shakespeare and the times in which he lived will find this volume a valuable resource, whereas those looking for literary criticism will not find it as useful.  As the title states, the text is about William Shakespeare the man.  The engaging layout and appealing, detailed presentation of facts, will make this a “go-to” volume for student researchers.

Summary: In this biography of William Shakespeare, Shuter separates the truth from myth by taking the reader step-by-step through the evidence of what can be reasonably inferred about Shakespeare’s life, along with related information about the era in which he lived and thrived.

Shakespeare, William-Biography                  --Hilary Welliver