CHILDREN · JUVENILE
Marcia Williams
Marcia Williams is a highly successful, prize-winning author and illustrator who has published over thirty books in her distinctive, entertaining and accessible comic-strip style. Her many awards include UKLA Children’s Book Award and The English 4-11 Picture Book Award. Her books are extremely popular in schools for their humorous and approachable way of introducing the classics to a young age group. She is also a much sought-after panellist at literary festivals and educational conferences. Her titles include: Archie’s War; Flossie’s Secret War Diary; Mr William Shakespeare’s Plays; Bravo, Mr William Shakespeare; Greek Myths; The Stone Age, Hunters, Gatherers and Woolly Mammoths and Three Cheers for Women! Her books are returned to time and again by children of all ages – from 6 to 60 years! Source: [Author's website](
About 5,000 years ago, a great empire grew up on the banks of the Nile River in Egypt.
— from Ancient Egypt
Most acclaimed
Macbeth
This volume features the full text of the play, a complete glossary, production notes, excerpts of important scenes and passages from multiple productions, and interviews and essays from notable Shakespeare scholars and performers. The audio CD with this edition of Macbeth contains a series of unique recordings to illustrate how different actors place their own interpretation on the play. Hear Orson Welles in a 1940s recording reciting Macbeth's famous soliloquy 'Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow'. Compare that to a contemporary version by Stephen Dillane from 1998. There are also superb performances from Sir Alec Guinness, Simon Russell Beale, Harriet Walter, Fiona Shaw and David Tennant. The text is illustrated throughout with photographs from notable productions including Trevor Nunn's 1976 RSC production with Sir Ian McKellen and Dame Judi Dench, Roman Polanski's 1971 film, and Michael Kahn's 2004-5 production at the Shakespeare Theatre Company. The book also takes you behind the scenes with reproductions of set drawings, costume designs and scene edits, including images from the 1937-38 production at the Old Vic starring Laurence Olivier and Judith Anderson. As well as the playtext, there are articles covering a range of topics including 'In Production: Macbeth through the Years' by William Proctor Williams, 'Macbeth in Popular Culture' by Douglas Lanier, 'A Voice Coach's Perspective on Speaking Shakespeare' by Andrew Wade and 'In the Age of Shakespeare' by Thomas Garvey. The Sourcebooks Shakespeare Macbeth is an invaluable tool for students of all ages from GCSE to A Level and beyond.
Ancient Egypt
Ancient Egypt is arguably the most successful and longest lasting human civilization yet. In this pacy guide, world renowned Egyptologist, Professor Barry Kemp, seeks to explain why Ancient Egypt was able to thrive with such stability for such a long time. The answers may be surprising - Kemp shows that human rights and career progression played an important role, as well as the traditional forces of slave labour and religion. Taking a thematic approach, Kemp examines ancient Egypt s geography, rulers, society, morality, family life, art and architecture, military, science, philosophy and religion. He then goes on to ask what happened to Ancient Egypt, and to point to its lasting influence today. Ancient Egypt: All That Matters is perfect for those who want to gain a sound grasp of the subject quickly, and those looking for a good entry-level book as a starting point for further study.
Hamlet
This Handbook's central commentary leads the reader through Hamlet's text, noting what it requires from its actors and the choices they are offered. Attention is also paid to plot and dramatic structure, the changing activity and grouping of persons on stage, and variations of pace. An account is given of early editions, the theatrical conditions of early performances, and the social, political and cultural context of the time, with generous quotations from contemporary writings. Notable productions and performances are described and a variety of critics cited to offer a number of different ways to understand the play's achievements and significance.