William Shakespeare: The Man Behind the Genius

by Anthony Holden

A noted British author and historian re-creates the colorful and dramatic life of William Shakespeare, detailing the youth, marriage, and theatrical career of the legendary bard. 20,000 first printing.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, History

416 pages, Hardcover

Published July 1, 2000

About the author

Anthony Holden is an English writer, broadcaster and critic, particularly known as a biographer of artists.

Reviews

[Donna · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the second book about William Shakespeare that I've read this month. I didn't care for the other one and I can say the same here. This one took me about 5 1/2 week to read. That's saying something because it isn't that long of a book. And I also owe the library $1.25 in fines for this one.

I think the parts about Shakespeare's life were interesting. He certainly had an interesting life from the facts that we know....it is all the embellishments that made me struggling to get through this, which should have been the opposite. So 2 stars

[Gary S · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoroughly enjoyable biography of Shakespeare. While it definitely helps to have a working knowledge of the Shakespeare canon, a literary layman can learn much about the man, Shakespeare, as well as his contemporaries and the world they lived in. Holden is very good at revealing the personal, professional, and political events that influenced Shakespeare’s writing. The result is a new appreciation for the “back story” of plays you know and a strong desire to read/see those that you don’t. What else would you want from a literary biography? I also came away with a better knowledge of his poems and sonnets. Some chapters do get a little bogged down by the incredible detail of Holden’s research, but laboring through those few times is well worth gaining the overall sense of the book. Recommended.

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

My fascination with the works of Shakespeare is endless, but I knew very little of the man behind the poet and playwright. Holden provides a vivid portrait of a man whose natural talents pull him far above his intended station in Elizabethan England, a highly unusual situation for that time.

After receiving a less than adequate education due to his status in the merchant class, he still manages to write verse of such extraordinary depth and beauty that even the Queen of England takes notice.

Holden provides details that color the Elizabethan era for those of us who know little about it. A lot to take in, but well worth the read.

[Lydia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not really a big fan of biographies in general, but I actually enjoyed this one well enough. I personally thought I knew a lot about Shakespeare until I read this book. It was very interesting to read more in depth about what he was like outside of the theatrical world. I think Holden really owes Shakespeare for being an interesting topic though because my main problem with the book was that the writing could be very dull at points. Even with the boring writing I would probably recommend this book to any die hard fan of Shakespeare that would like to know more about his life, because it was pretty good for that.

[Jagordo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Perfectly adequate, tries to be an objective biography but definitely has its failings — other reviews mention how Holden uses conjecture as fact far too often, and they're right. Holden tries to both entertain and educate, bolstering his own guesses with boring and flimsy accounting and legal documents.
I do respect the desire to divorce Shakespeare from the reader's wishes, and I think Holden gave it an honest shot. There are better biographies out there.

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Anthony Holden presents as fact what a more careful biographer would call speculation. That said, it's handy to see all the rumors collected in one place.