William Shakespeare: A Textual Companion

Though billed as a companion to "The Norton Shakespeare, Based on the Oxford Edition," "William Shakespeare: A Textual Companion" is a superb reference for any reader of Shakespeare's plays. The book gives the editorial principles and the explanations of editorial decisions made by the editors of the Oxford Shakespeare. The Textual Companion deals with the plays and poems is a systematic basis. This book will deepen anyone's appricaition for the Oxford editors' solutions to textual problems. The real value of this book goes is that it goes beyond just being an explanation of one edition. This book offers a comprehensive overview of the textual problem that any reader of Shakespeare should be aware of.

An example good editing comes from "The Merry Wives of Windsor" 1.4.88-9. The line appears "Ile doe yoe your/ Master what good I can:" in the 1623 folio. John Jowett who edited the play says that the "yoe" is suspicious and goes on the give his reasons. He belives it is a miscorrection. "Yoe" was intended for correction, but instead the compositor inserted "your" and left the "yoe" as is. The line printed in the Oxford edition is "I'll do your master what good/I can". I agree with Jowett's reasons and his correction.

Even though this book goes a long way in presenting textual problems and editorial solutions there are some editorial problems which have not been resolved. For example in "The Tempest" 4.1.123 we read this "So rare a wondered father and a wise". Tthe Oxford edition has "wise" but in the note to this line on page 616 they follow Jeanne Addison Roberts' 1978 article and say the word was "wife" in the first folio. Whether the word was "wife" or "wise" is not yet a settled question. Blayney in his introduction to the Norton Facsimile 2nd Edition (p. xxxi) takes issue with Roberts's conclusions, and for now this does remain an open question.

This book is one of the great books of Shakespearian scholarship. Though I do not agree in every detail, I can say that my appriciation and admiration for the Oxford edition of Shakespeare has increased because of this book. No critical reader of Shakespeare should go without this book.

This book accompanies the ground-breaking Oxford Complete Works of Shakespeare (1986) and explains the choices made by the editors in their selection of early printed texts and in their correction of errors in the earliest editions. Additionally, this provides the most recent thorough examination of the problems of editing Shakespeare, of establishing which plays he wrote and the order in which he wrote them, and the relation between the solitary reading experience and the social theatrical experience. If you need answers to questions like "how many quartos of Hamlet were published in Shakespeare's lifetime?" and "which one best represents the play as performed?", this book is the place to look for a thorough scholarly exploration of these topics. If you want criticism about Shakespeare's plays and their meaning, this book is not for you.

If you love Anne of Greengables and the rest of LM Montgomery's book, you'll love this one too. It's a great book for when you're curled up in your bed and it's cold out. Get it.

Uh-oh! Something is behind the wheel. I know it will cause trouble in the race. I like this book a lot.

WARNING: "Quarantine at Alexander Abraham's" is the 5th volume in the "Road to Avonlea" series of novelizations adapted from the "Avonlea" television show. However, it takes place BEFORE the events that are related in the 4th volume, "The Materializing of Duncan McTavish." Consequently, you might want to read these in reverse order if you are making your way through this series.

"Quarantine at Alexander Abraham's" is one of the best adaptations of a Lucy Maud Montgomery short story to the cast of characters on "Avonlea." Standing in for Montgomery's original female protagonist who has to confront confirmed old bachelor Abraham is one of her most beloved supporting characters, Mrs. Rachel Lynde. Viewers of Sullivan Films Productions of "Anne of Green Gables" are well familiar with both the character and the fine actress, Patricia Hamilton, who plays her. But this episode is also the first time that Mrs. Lynde takes center stage, which is definitely a treat for her many fans.

Mrs. Lynde is put in charge of the boy's Sunday School class and when she finds the young boy who work's Alexander Abraham's farm has gone truant, she heads out to save the boy's soul. Meanwhile, Felix and Sara have run ahead to warn their schoolmate of the impending storm. However, everybody involved is in for a big shock when they all end up in Abraham's home only to discover he has been quarantined because of the small pox. That means this quartet of not too happy individuals are stuck with each other for at least two weeks. Mrs. Lynde and her two small charges are going to clean the house from top to bottom, no matter what that old curmudgeon has to say.

Fiona McHugh, working from the script written by Heather Conkie, absolutely nails the character of Rachel Lynde. Of course, in the original Montgomery short story it was just the two old people butting heads, but Conkie makes the addition of the two small children work and McHugh does an excellent job of going beyond the dialogue to get at what the characters are really thinking. This is one of best adaptations in the "Road to Avonlea" series and if you have not yet read "The Story Girl," "The Chronicles of Avonlea" or Montgomery's other works, then the time has come for you to definitely do that.

Completely and utterly a book about mischief!!:) Sarah and Felix enter Mr. Abrahams home as the result of a dare and some taunting on the part of the other children, to see what has become of a friend of theres. (Murder is a highly suspected!:)) They are of course, caught and unfortunetly are forced to remain at the terrible, woman and child hating residence of Alexander Abraham along with unsufferable Mrs. Lynde due to the fact that although their friend has not been murdered or kidnapped, he has come down with a contagious disease and they are now QUARENTINED! (hence the name!) Good book, well written and easy reading. Although this is a must have for any 'Avonlea' collector I strongly caution adults looking for a continuation of Montgomery's novels for you will not find it here, thisis undoubtedly a children's book and will not satisfy you appetites.

We all know about Shakespeare, so a review of his writing is not required. However, I would like to say that the Everyman's Library series are worth getting. Unlike omnibus editions (such as the Riverside Shakespeare), these are actually portable so you don't need a table to hold them up while you are reading. The Everyman's Library series have good hardbindings, are conveniently sized to carry around, and have illuminating and extensive introductions. The typeface used is old, but the letters are large and easily readable (something that is a concern with some other editions).

Tragedies, Volume 2 contains: Titus Andronicus; Troilus and Cressida; Julius Ceaser; Anthony and Cleopatra; Timon of Athens; Coriolanus

We all know about Shakespeare, so a review of his writing is not required. However, I would like to say that the Everyman's Library series are worth getting. Unlike omnibus editions (such as the Riverside Shakespeare), these are actually portable so you don't need a table to hold them up while you are reading. The Everyman's Library series have good hardbindings, are conveniently sized to carry around, and have illuminating and extensive introductions. The typeface used is old, but the letters are large and easily readable (something that is a concern with some other editions).

Tragedies, Volume 1 contains: Hamlet; Othello; King Lear; Machbeth

I loved this book because it clearly demonstrates that God loves us, hears us and will intercede in our lives in ways we can only image, if we simply ASK Him. Often people think that we have to find the magic words or be "worthy" of His attention. The surprise is EVERYONE is so special to God that He hears us even before we ask.

In Rebekah Montgomery's book " Ordinary Miracles" its plain to see that God is real and personal. The book through it's presentation of real life situations and miraculous events shows the power of God, but also his great desire to help and communicate with us. I had never really thought of miracles as God's, "Hey I heard you and and I'm going to do something kind of extra-ordinary, normal to me, to get your attention and let you know we're on the same team". It's not just God taking action, He's communicating big time.

Stride Toward Freedom is an excellent book that should become a part of any school curriculum when learning about the Civil Rights Movement. Moving and deeply enlightening, the struggles and triumphs of a man so many of us see as super-human, makes this book one I would recommend to anyone. It is amazing to see how despite incredible odds, people still managed to emerge as remarkable leaders to be remembered for centuries to come.

A classic true story. Details the story of the Montgomery bus boycott organized by King. Discusses the fact that Rosa Parks was not the first black woman to refuse to give up her seat to a white person. Details the logistics of the boycott and the violence and threats committed against King, sometimes dozens of threats per day. Discusses his reading of Gandhi and discusses King's worldview, including, of course, the nonviolent philosophy. You must know this story if you want to know about Martin Luther King Jr. or the history of race relations in the USA.

I first read about Judith Paterson in the University of Maryland Magazine. An article described a new television program called "The Writer's Tale" with Judith Paterson as creator and host. I wrote to Judith about my book, "How to Find a Fella in the Want Ads," and she invited me to discuss the writing process on her show. As soon as we finished taping, she said she had to go to the metro to meet the next author she was interviewing. As she left she gave me a copy of "Sweet Mystery." I'd never heard of the book. That night at bedtime I opened her book and began to read.

Every night for the next week I read "Sweet Mystery." When I reached the next to last chapter, I went back to the beginning and began reading it again. I can't ever recall when I've been so reluctant to let a book go. It is enchanting, a brilliantly written story of love and so of-the-moment that I felt like I was there with her as she revisited her childhood.

As a writer, I am in awe of Judith's skill at weaving the culture of the south into her personal story. It is seamless! As a historian, it is exciting to experience the south's history from an insider's perspective.

The book is a series of gently told stories with space left for the reader's imagination. I suppose that's why I called all my friends. I am leery about foisting my taste in books on my friends because they are opinionated and choosy, but "Sweet Mystery" is the best book I've read in years.

Above and beyond its value as a superb read, I want to urge two other groups to read it: families coping with alcoholism and battered women and the children of both.

I heard the author speak at a conference in Washington, D.C. last week. Afterwards, I immediately ran to the closest book store to purchase a copy. The very large store was sold out! I finally located a copy when I returned home from the conference. I couldn't wait to begin reading it and once I began, I was entranced and couldn't put it down. I felt like she was writing my own story. Her successful life journey and her beautiful writing makes me yearn to write my own story.

This book by Judith H. Paterson should be in every library -- public and academic. It should also be required reading for every individual. It would be a wonderful book for class projects on family history in high school and college.

Sweet Mystery is about the author's personal life journey; it is about sturggle; it is about survival; it is poetically written; it is heart-rendering; and it is joyful.

Read this magnificent book immedaitely!

In this part of Anne's life she is off to college. She has an amazing four years, with a couple of new friends. She also has a lot of decisions to make about the rest of her life. This is definitely my favorite of all the Anne books! It also keeps up with the tradition of beautiful descriptions of the scenery, which isn't in Avonlea this time. I really urge anyone who liked Anne of Green Gables to read this book.

Having made a life-long career of worrying, I became very comfortable with this emotional state. Whether it was worrying about my life, family, career or health, I alway found something to worry about even if it was other people's concerns. However, reading Why Worry When God has changed my life forever. As a result of the principles here, I am living my life differently. One way it has done this is by perpelling me toward my destiny and purpose. This book showed that worry was a waste of time, being irrelevant, irresponsible and irreverant. I recommend this book to anyone, whether they are a Christian or not. The value I gained from reading this book will profit anyone. Especially since worry is so common to all.

There are many religious books out on the market and I have a bunch of them in my personal collection that I have started reading and have taken me months to finish. This was not the case with Why Worry When God written by Bishop Carl H. Montgomery. Being a single female trying to juggle career and other cares of life, stress and worry can be such a weight on ones shoulders. Even for us that have a Christian background. I found this book to give sound biblical teaching, and brought back to my memory sound biblical principals. This book made me realize that I do not need to carry or worry about the weights of this world God has every thing under His control! What a relief it is to know that I can live a worry free life.