Books of the Globe Book Reviews
Staff from across the Globe have read our books, this is what they have to say about them.
![Beige book with black text and stylised drawing of open first folio](http://shop.shakespearesglobe.com/cdn/shop/files/shakespeares-first-folio-paperback-cover.jpg?v=1713790427&width=1445)
Shakespeare's First Folio: Four Centuries of an Iconic Book by Emma Smith Book Review
This volume is a post-publication history of the purchasers, inheritors and users of the First Folio, with chapters on Owning, Reading, Decoding, Performing and Perfecting.
![Shakespeare's Sisters, Four Women who Wrote the Renaissance by Ramie Targoff Book Review](http://shop.shakespearesglobe.com/cdn/shop/files/shakespeares-sisters-hardback-book.jpg?v=1716199590&width=1445)
Shakespeare's Sisters, Four Women who Wrote the Renaissance by Ramie Targoff Book Review
Ramie Targoff’s Shakespeare’s Sisters responds to a provocation from Virginia Woolf’s seminal essay, A Room of One’s Own – if Shakespeare were to have a sister endowed with equal talent, her literary undertakings would have been rapidly quashed by the restrictive, patriarchal circumstances of the time.
![Tyrant: Shakespeare On Power by Stephen Greenblatt Book Review](http://shop.shakespearesglobe.com/cdn/shop/files/tyrant-paperback-book.jpg?v=1716199960&width=1445)
Tyrant: Shakespeare On Power by Stephen Greenblatt Book Review
Blending close readings of Shakespeare with examinations of early modern history and allusions to contemporary politics, Greenblatt makes the case that Shakespeare would have been invested in—and writing about—the politics of his time through the distancing lenses of history and fiction.
![Paperback copy of 'Portable Magic' by Emma Smith sitting on a wooden stage](http://shop.shakespearesglobe.com/cdn/shop/files/portable_magic_front_cover.jpg?v=1682606613&width=1445)
Portable Magic: A History of Books and Their Readers Book Review
Emma Smith presents a delightful and insightful exploration of the history and significance of books.
![Paperback book on wooden background with scattered flowers framing it](http://shop.shakespearesglobe.com/cdn/shop/files/Queer-Shakespeare-Book_dc6105aa-3c69-4fc4-b1e1-e15a918c6d0f.jpg?v=1716901542&width=1445)
Queer Shakespeare: Desire and Sexuality Book Review
Queer Shakespeare gives you plenty of queer theory, history, and paths for further reading & watching, whether you are a casual reader or an academic. I had a rollicking good time.
![Pale blue paperback book with colourful characters across front and white text](http://shop.shakespearesglobe.com/cdn/shop/files/courting-india-paperback-cover.jpg?v=1712825517&width=1445)
Courting India Book Review
I recommend this book as a good reference point for anyone interested in this time period. It examines British history under James I and Mughal India.
![Red paperback book with gold and white graphic imagery and white text](http://shop.shakespearesglobe.com/cdn/shop/files/lady-macbethad.jpg?v=1713357064&width=1445)
Lady Macbethad Book Review
Step into the wild, untamed landscape of ancient Scotland with Isabelle Schuler's "Lady Macbethad", – a tale that brings together history, myth, and an undeniable spirit of adventure.
![Hot pink paperback book with image of a crow that appears made of flowers](http://shop.shakespearesglobe.com/cdn/shop/files/Weyward-paperback-book.jpg?v=1710331522&width=1445)
Weyward Book Review
An inter-generational tale of three daughters, each embarking on a journey of self-discovery as they grapple with the complexities of womanhood and the allure of 'witchcraft '.
![White and black paperback book with obscured image of William Shakespeare's face and black text](http://shop.shakespearesglobe.com/cdn/shop/files/the-great-white-bard-paperback-cover.jpg?v=1712141055&width=1445)
The Great White Bard: How to Love Shakespeare While Talking About Race by Farah Karim-Cooper Book Review
This is a thoughtful and thorough exploration of how race appears and is made in Shakespeare’s works.
![White paperback book with red and black decorative motif and god text](http://shop.shakespearesglobe.com/cdn/shop/files/shakespeares-book-paperback.jpg?v=1710322156&width=1445)
Shakespeare’s Book: The Intertwined Lives Behind the First Folio Book Review
Laoutaris succeeds finding the entwined lives behind the First Folio. In short: there’s more to this book than just a book!
![Navy blue paperback book with white graphic text and eye graphic](http://shop.shakespearesglobe.com/cdn/shop/files/Hagseed-paperback-book.jpg?v=1711623151&width=1445)
Hagseed Book Review
A theatrical retelling of Shakespeare’s Tempest, Hagseed will rip through you with ferocity, grief and love. This incredible tour-de-force had me laughing and crying, sometimes at the same time.
![On Wilder Seas Book Review](http://shop.shakespearesglobe.com/cdn/shop/files/wilder_seas.jpg?v=1694691970&width=1445)
On Wilder Seas Book Review
On Wilder Seas imagines the life of ‘Maria’, an enslaved Guinean trying to forge a life for herself within the context of the early modern Age of Discovery.
![Paperback edition of Shakespeare by Bill Bryson](http://shop.shakespearesglobe.com/cdn/shop/products/Bill_Bryson_-_Shakespeare.png?v=1581954280&width=1445)
Bill Bryson: Shakespeare Book Review
The idea [of this book] is a simple one: to see how much of Shakespeare we can know, really know, from the record. Which is one reason, of course, it’s so slender.
![The book of English magic, Philip Carr-Gomm & Richard Heygate](http://shop.shakespearesglobe.com/cdn/shop/products/Book_of_English_Magic.png?v=1569484011&width=1445)
Book of English Magic Book Review
Absolutely worth a read even if you're not into the subject as it will certainly make you!
![Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays The Rent Book Review](http://shop.shakespearesglobe.com/cdn/shop/files/Man_who_pays_the_rent.jpg?v=1698672939&width=1445)
Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays The Rent Book Review
Use text paired with images to create a captivating brand story, explain details of your products, or highlight store promotions.
![Paperback book with red cover and cartoon Romeo and Juliet](http://shop.shakespearesglobe.com/cdn/shop/files/classics-in-graphics-romeo-juliet-paperback.jpg?v=1715248220&width=1445)
Romeo & Juliet - A Graphic Novel (Classics in Graphics) Book Review
I like how there are speech bubbles as you can see who is talking as it comes from them.
![White paperback book with orange type and a black and white image](http://shop.shakespearesglobe.com/cdn/shop/files/station-eleven-book_81631076-c630-48fe-a467-b53e4d72aa45.jpg?v=1707389246&width=1445)
Station Eleven Book Review
I loved this book!
![Paperback copy of Embroidering her Truth: Mary, Queen of Scots and the Language of Power by Clare Hunter](http://shop.shakespearesglobe.com/cdn/shop/products/Embroidering.jpg?v=1676901973&width=1445)
Embroidering Her Truth: Mary, Queen of Scots and the Language of Power Book Review
Forget dusty biographies – Clare Hunter's "Embroidering Her Truth" threads Mary, Queen of Scots' story with captivating textile insights, revealing a hidden language of power and defiance.
![Paperback edition of 1606: Shakespeare and the Year of Lear by James Shapiro](http://shop.shakespearesglobe.com/cdn/shop/products/1606.jpg?v=1569553471&width=1445)
1606: Shakespeare and the Year of Lear Book Review
If you’re interested in witchcraft, the Gunpowder plot, Jacobean society, and of course Shakespeare, then you’ve just found your next read.
![Paperback edition of Black Tudors by Miranda Kaufmann](http://shop.shakespearesglobe.com/cdn/shop/files/black-tudors-paperback-books.jpg?v=1710255062&width=1445)
Black Tudors Book Review
Miranda Kaufman’s book gives a fascinating insight into the Tudor period , and the frequently inaccurate ideas we have had about the role of black people within this society .
![The Lives of Tudor Women by Elizabeth Norton paperback book](http://shop.shakespearesglobe.com/cdn/shop/files/the-lives-of-tudor-women.jpg?v=1710254641&width=1445)
The Lives of Tudor Women Book Review
The Lives of Tudor Women is a fascinating tour through Tudor history through the female lens, and primarily focusing on the female experience.
![Black paperback book with gold text and white skull in ruff design](http://shop.shakespearesglobe.com/cdn/shop/files/death-by-shakespeare-paperback.jpg?v=1710253974&width=1445)
Death By Shakespeare Book Review
Everybody dies, (*spoiler alert*) but in Shakespeare’s day it was a normal part of life.
![The Good, the Bard, and the Ugly Book Review](http://shop.shakespearesglobe.com/cdn/shop/files/good_bard_ugly.jpg?v=1699346965&width=1445)
The Good, the Bard, and the Ugly Book Review
This book was not what I expected. I must admit that I did judge this book by its cover and it very much surprised me when I read it.
![Shakespeare for Grown-Ups by E.Foley and B.Coates](http://shop.shakespearesglobe.com/cdn/shop/files/shakespeare-for-grown-ups-paperback.jpg?v=1710253254&width=1445)
Shakespeare for Grown-ups Book Review
This definitely isn't an English textbook. It’s a great book to have for reference, I will definitely be using it the next time I’d like to find out more about a play before seeing it.
![Paperback copy of This is Shakespeare: How to Read the World's Greatest Playwright by Emma Smith](http://shop.shakespearesglobe.com/cdn/shop/files/this-is-shakespeare-paperback-book.jpg?v=1710252894&width=1445)
This is Shakespeare: How to Read the World's Greatest Playwright Book Review
I found myself eagerly turning the page to discover how she would approach the next play.
![Bold & Brave Women from Shakespeare Book Review](http://shop.shakespearesglobe.com/cdn/shop/files/bold-and-brave-women-from-shakespeare-paperback_71470288-573e-454d-9f8c-a0ee5743d7e3.jpg?v=1715601544&width=1445)
Bold & Brave Women from Shakespeare Book Review
I would highly recommend this to fellow Shakespeare lovers.
![Zombies vs Shakespeare Book Review](http://shop.shakespearesglobe.com/cdn/shop/files/zombies_book.jpg?v=1706537034&width=1445)
Zombies vs Shakespeare Book Review
I really enjoyed this book, it made me laugh.
![Blue and green paperback book with graphic image of wizard holding staff and white text](http://shop.shakespearesglobe.com/cdn/shop/files/tempest-graphic-novel-paperback-cover.jpg?v=1712742303&width=1445)
The Tempest- A Graphic Novel (Classics in Graphics) Book Review
I read the book in 24 hours and loved it; I want to read a lot more Shakespeare books now!
![Horrible Histories - Wicked Words Book Review](http://shop.shakespearesglobe.com/cdn/shop/files/wicked_words_0d989eb2-a0a2-4d52-b9c9-a8d58160f611.jpg?v=1695029374&width=1445)
Horrible Histories - Wicked Words Book Review
The book was quite comical and fascinating, there were times I couldn’t put it down!
![When Women Ruled the World Book Review](http://shop.shakespearesglobe.com/cdn/shop/files/women_ruled_world.jpg?v=1693469545&width=1445)
When Women Ruled the World Book Review
The book is a fascinating look at some astonishing works of art (lots of lovely pictures!) and their deeper meanings, as well as an eye-opening re-examination of the relationships between a group of powerful connected women.
![All's Well Book Review](http://shop.shakespearesglobe.com/cdn/shop/files/alls-well-web.jpg?v=1709814413&width=1445)
All's Well Book Review
This book is a tangled web of crazy from start to finish and you just can’t stop reading until you figure out how it will turn out.
![Royal blue paperback book with gold text and detailing, featuring blue falcon graphic on centre front, straight on](http://shop.shakespearesglobe.com/cdn/shop/files/ghost-theatre-paperback-cover.jpg?v=1711626663&width=1445)
The Ghost Theatre Book Review
From the first page, I felt myself completely transported.
![Paperback copy of Lear Wife by J R Thorp.](http://shop.shakespearesglobe.com/cdn/shop/files/lear-wife-paperback-book.jpg?v=1710234901&width=1445)
Lear Wife Book Review
Use text paired with images to create a captivating brand story, explain details of your products, or highlight store promotions.
![A paperback copy of Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell](http://shop.shakespearesglobe.com/cdn/shop/files/Hamnet-paperback-book.jpg?v=1710235035&width=1445)
Hamnet Book Review
‘Hamnet’ takes the reader on a journey from two alternate timeline perspectives, with such ease and precision.
![A paperback copy of 'Globe: Life in Shakespeare's London' by Catherine Arnold.](http://shop.shakespearesglobe.com/cdn/shop/files/globe-life-in-shakespeares-london.jpg?v=1710234933&width=1445)
Globe: Life in Shakespeare’s London Book Review
Catherine Arnold’s wonderful historical book ‘Globe: Life in Shakespeare’s London’ offers a thoughtful and imaginative glimpse into the story of the Globe Theatre from 1599 to the present day.
![Paperback copy of Manga Shakespeare: A Midsummer Nights Dream. Graphic novel illustrated by Kate Brown.](http://shop.shakespearesglobe.com/cdn/shop/files/manga-midsummer-nights-dream.jpg?v=1710235004&width=1445)
Manga A Midsummer Night's Dream Book Review
“Yes, it’s a man with a donkey head, and yes, it makes perfect sense”.