Paul Edmondson is Head of Research and Knowledge and Director of the Stratford-upon-Avon Poetry Festival for The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. He has published numerous articles and books on Shakespeare and speaks at academic conferences and other Shakespeare related gatherings around the world. He is a trustee of The Rose Theatre and Chair of The Hosking Houses Trust for women writers.

I cannot imagine a better introduction to the whole Matter of Shakespeare - learned, elegant, highly original and endlessly entertaining too. -- Jan Morris Paul Edmondson's new book has all the virtues you look for in a first-rate introduction to Shakespeare's life and work. Informed, witty, up-to-date, and beautifully written, it's packed with the sort of information about Shakespeare's plays that readers care about most. -- James Shapiro, author of 1599: A Year in the Life of William Shakespeare Lively and highly accessible, Paul Edmondson's little book is a terrific introduction to Shakespeare, notable for its attunement to the theatre and full of valuable advice in such areas as reading Shakespeare aloud - something we should all do much more often. .? -- Jonathan Bate, author of The Genius of Shakespeare Edmondson covers the biographical ground succinctly, as well as discussing the plays and poetry in a style that's discreetly authoritative ... his writing is witty and humane. Spectator

Paul Edmondson is Head of Research and Knowledge and Director of the Stratford-upon-Avon Poetry Festival for The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. He has published numerous articles and books on Shakespeare and speaks at academic conferences and other Shakespeare related gatherings around the world. He is a trustee of The Rose Theatre and Chair of The Hosking Houses Trust for women writers.

I cannot imagine a better introduction to the whole Matter of Shakespeare - learned, elegant, highly original and endlessly entertaining too. -- Jan Morris Paul Edmondson's new book has all the virtues you look for in a first-rate introduction to Shakespeare's life and work. Informed, witty, up-to-date, and beautifully written, it's packed with the sort of information about Shakespeare's plays that readers care about most. -- James Shapiro, author of 1599: A Year in the Life of William Shakespeare Lively and highly accessible, Paul Edmondson's little book is a terrific introduction to Shakespeare, notable for its attunement to the theatre and full of valuable advice in such areas as reading Shakespeare aloud - something we should all do much more often. .? -- Jonathan Bate, author of The Genius of Shakespeare Edmondson covers the biographical ground succinctly, as well as discussing the plays and poetry in a style that's discreetly authoritative ... his writing is witty and humane. Spectator

Paul Edmondson is Head of Research and Knowledge and Director of the Stratford-upon-Avon Poetry Festival for The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. He has published numerous articles and books on Shakespeare and speaks at academic conferences and other Shakespeare related gatherings around the world. He is a trustee of The Rose Theatre and Chair of The Hosking Houses Trust for women writers.

I cannot imagine a better introduction to the whole Matter of Shakespeare - learned, elegant, highly original and endlessly entertaining too. -- Jan Morris Paul Edmondson's new book has all the virtues you look for in a first-rate introduction to Shakespeare's life and work. Informed, witty, up-to-date, and beautifully written, it's packed with the sort of information about Shakespeare's plays that readers care about most. -- James Shapiro, author of 1599: A Year in the Life of William Shakespeare Lively and highly accessible, Paul Edmondson's little book is a terrific introduction to Shakespeare, notable for its attunement to the theatre and full of valuable advice in such areas as reading Shakespeare aloud - something we should all do much more often. .? -- Jonathan Bate, author of The Genius of Shakespeare Edmondson covers the biographical ground succinctly, as well as discussing the plays and poetry in a style that's discreetly authoritative ... his writing is witty and humane. Spectator