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Shakespeare in a Divided America
- Author
- James Shapiro
- Narrator
- Fred Sanders
- Publisher
- Faber & Faber
- Publish Date
- 10 March 2020
- Run Time
- 9 hours 12 minutes
- Format
- x-book®
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What to expect
From the author of
1599, a fresh perspective on the history of the United States - and a timely reminder of Shakespeare's indelible influence.
A RADIO 4 BOOK OF THE WEEK
Shakespeare's position as England's national poet is established and unquestionable.
But as James Shapiro illuminates in this revelatory new history, Shakespeare has long held an essential place in American culture. Why, though, would a proudly independent republic embrace England's greatest writer? Especially when his works enact so many of America's darkest nightmares: interracial marriage, cross-dressing, same-sex love, tyranny, and assassination?
Investigating a selection of defining moments in American history - drilling into issues of race, miscegenation, gender, patriotism and immigration; encountering Presidents, activists, writers and actors - Shapiro leads us to fascinating answers and uncovers rich and startling stories.
But perhaps most pressingly, we learn how, in Trump's America, the staging of his work has provoked threats of violence and has become a battleground for freedom of speech.
'With the lightest touch and the most formidable scholarship, James Shapiro, once again, proves himself to be an irresistible storyteller. And what an exhilarating and disturbing tale he has to tell. Here is proof that Shakespeare's power remains undiminished in our divided world.'
Simon Russell Beale
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Details
- Author
- James Shapiro
- Narrator
- Fred Sanders
- Duration
- 9 hours 12 minutes
- Release Date
- 10 March 2020
- ISBN
- 9780571363650
- Format
- x-book®
- Publisher
- Faber & Faber
- Genre
- Literature: history and criticism
Synopsis
From the author of 1599, a fresh perspective on the history of the United States - and a timely reminder of Shakespeare's indelible influence. A RADIO 4 BOOK OF THE WEEK Shakespeare's position as England's national poet is established and unquestionable. But as James Shapiro illuminates in this revelatory new history, Shakespeare has long held an essential place in American culture. Why, though, would a proudly independent republic embrace England's greatest writer? Especially when his works enact so many of America's darkest nightmares: interracial marriage, cross-dressing, same-sex love, tyranny, and assassination? Investigating a selection of defining moments in American history - drilling into issues of race, miscegenation, gender, patriotism and immigration; encountering Presidents, activists, writers and actors - Shapiro leads us to fascinating answers and uncovers rich and startling stories. But perhaps most pressingly, we learn how, in Trump's America, the staging of his work has provoked threats of violence and has become a battleground for freedom of speech. 'With the lightest touch and the most formidable scholarship, James Shapiro, once again, proves himself to be an irresistible storyteller. And what an exhilarating and disturbing tale he has to tell. Here is proof that Shakespeare's power remains undiminished in our divided world.' Simon Russell Beale
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