A Dictionary of Who, What, and Where in Shakespeare

Rating:
Summary: A Very Pleasant Surprise
Review: For someone who needed a reintroduction to Shakespeare after more than forty years absence, this book proved to be a very pleasant surprise. Not only did it live up to its title but it also contained an interesting chapter on Shakespeare's major poetry. The short biography of Shakespeare and the entries on Elizabeth I and Sir Walter Raleigh were all excellent.

Rating:
Summary: More depth and information than you'd expect
Review: When you buy a book like this, you expect a quick reference and not much more. This book has reference with depth. It familiarizes you with the plots and characters, of course. But it goes further and puts them in context with Shakespeare's time and with his other works. Some of the most useful information is about the source texts Shakespeare used and where some of the names and words he used originated (sometimes he made them up. ie: Jessica.) This adds so much to the enjoyment of seeing the plays performed, as well as reading them. While not comprehensive, it packs a lot of useful information in a size convenient to carry with you to a play. If, like me, you have already fallen in love with the bard's words, you will still find this book handy. If you are new to Shakespeare, this book can make you feel that his plays are more accessible.