Ron Rosenbaum - The Shakespeare Wars: Clashing Scholars, Public Fiascoes, Palace Coups

The Shakespeare Wars: a conversation, a debate, a polemic, a memoir, a seduction, an ecstasy! Electrifying. A spectacular book.

C YNTHIA O ZICK

Everyone seriously interested in Shakespeare must read [it], and anyone even mildly interested should. Mr. Rosenbaum possesses a restlessly inquiring mind, a vivid style, a welcome sense of humor, and an impressive knowledge of not only Shakespeareana but also much else besides.

J OHN S IMON , The New York Sun

In his besotted, passionate new book about contemporary Shakespeare studies Ron Rosenbaum sets out to transmit a sense of ravishment, unbearably pleasurable, brought forth by the bottomlessness of Shakespeares writings. His search turns his book into a sort of romantic detective story. informative, diverting Rosenbaum reminds us that scholarship can be a freewheeling battle royal. To be tired of Shakespeare, for Rosenbaum, is to be tired of life, while to be excited about himin every inky nuance and detailis to live a deeper, wider life.

W ALTER K IRN , The New York Times Book Review

Dizzying, idiosyncratic, entertaining, and illuminating.

M AUREEN C ORRIGAN , NPRs Fresh Air

Mr. Rosenbaum pursues his quarry with energy and flair. He brings to life the personalities of the scholars and theater directors whom he interviews. His gift for clear exposition is matched by a lively wit. It is hard to imagine another commentator doing more to convey to general readers the fascination, and the importance, of scholarly topics. Mr. Rosenbaum shows exceptional sensitivity to Shakespeares language.

J OHN G ROSS , The Wall Street Journal

A superb overview of contemporary Shakespeare scholarship genuinely passionate, insight-filled Anyone who cares for Shakespeare will learn an enormous amount. The investigations of real scholars and theatrical professionals make the book invaluable.

M ICHAEL D IRDA , The Washington Post

Rosenbaums rewarding book bears witness to Shakespeares unrivaled appeal [and leads readers] even more deeply into the amazing complexities of his art.

W ILLIAM E. C AIN , Boston Sunday Globe

Rosenbaums title is spot on. He is the Christiane Amanpour of Shakespeare studies. His book is timely not least for the economy and clarity with which he outlines the casus belli. Rosenbaums reportage is enlightening. We now have a better sense of what the fuss is about.

J OHN S UTHERLAND , The Financial Times

Rosenbaum [is] upfront, ecstatic, complexa streetwise Ancient Mariner.

The Economist

In brightly written, playful, argumentative and intelligent proseeven the bibliographic notes are good readshe makes some of the more arcane literary battles over Shakespeare seem lively, fascinating, important and even sexy. Partly, its his skill in bringing the scenes and participants to life. Partly, its his at times self-deprecating humor, heavily garnished, almost to a Shakespearean degree, with puns and other forms of wordplay. Above all, its Rosenbaums ability to fill his pages with the passion that underlies his intellectual quest. The best thing about Wars is Rosenbaums ability to make scholarship almost as exciting as a first-rate performance, and to make reading about well-performed Shakespeare almost as rewarding as a great night in the theater.

R OBERT H URWITT , San Francisco Chronicle

[Ive been] a lifelong admirer of [Rosenbaums] work. A joyous appreciation a fine piece of reportage on the scholarly infighting behind the scenes in Shakespeare studies.

S TEPHEN M ETCALF , Slate

What is lovely about this book is its exaltation of the vastness of Shakespearean richesa vastness proven by the endless intensity of the very debates that Rosenbaum writes about. And then theres Rosenbaums passion for his subject. Its genuine and highly infectious.

M ARJORIE K EHE , The Christian Science Monitor

Penetrating and deeply felt engrossing, emotionally charged and highly moving.

M ARK O LSHAKER , The Washington Times

Fascinating and passionate He engages the reader with his own eagerness, deep reading and lively good sense.

J EROME W EEKS , The Dallas Morning News

Once upon a time Rosenbaum was a graduate student in English at Yale. But he left that behind to become the most sui generis of investigative reporters. The English departments loss was literatures gain.

S COTT M C L EMEE , Newsday

Rosenbaum (Explaining Hitler) is one of our best most omnivorously curious journalists. These scholarly wars arent over who really wrote the plays, but over the actual language: what it reveals and conceals. Is there an encoded orgasm in the speeches of Romeo and Juliet? That is the question.

Newsweek

Rosenbaum brings the style he has perfected over the yearsthe style of the journalist engaged in indefatigable search of answers to various knotty questions. Engaged in these intellectual quests, Rosenbaum has displayed unfailing intelligence, doggedness, a genuine willingness to entertain different points of view, [and] a relaxed and highly readable prose style. You can see the journalist in Rosenbaum even when hes dealing with brilliant Shakespeare scholars.

P HILIP M ARCHAND , Toronto Star

Rosenbaum has now done for Shakespeare studies what he did for Hitler studies. [His analysis of The Merchant of Venice] is as nice a summary definition of Shakespeares uncanny genius as one could desire.

T HOMAS L. J EFFERS , Commentary

Thrilling The Shakespeare Wars is too packed with brilliance to ignore. [Rosenbaum] compel[s] us to reach for Shakespeare and begin reading with a new and more nuanced appreciation.

J OSEPH B EDNARIK , The Sunday Oregonian

Throughout its 600 pages, he manages to transmit genuine sparks of bedazzlement and wonder. It accomplishes something extraordinary: it sweeps the dust off academic discourse and proves that centuries-old language can produce palpable exhilaration.

J ENNIE R OTHENBERG , The Atlantic Online

Ive always hoped for a book on Shakespeare by a passionate, brilliant reader steeped in her own reading of the Bard and in the debates by contemporary scholars. But even I couldnt have anticipated how lucky I would get. To have Ron Rosenbaum, the most original and interesting cultural journalist working today, wade through the depths and heights of Shakespeare is more than an embarrassment of riches. It is the very thing itself: like Shakespeare reading Shakespeare to us.

P RADEEP S EBASTIAN , The Hindu, Indias national newspaper

In-depth critical analysis handled with a light touch and unfailing respect for the readers intelligence: cultural journalism of the highest order.

Kirkus Reviews

One of the best books of the year.

Los Angeles Times, The Christian Science Monitor, NPR, The Kansas City Star

Just when you thought nothing more could be said on the subject, Ron Rosenbaum comes up with a wholly fresh approacha thrilling personal confrontation with the inexhaustibility of the work, the frightening bottomlessness of Shakespeares genius. The Shakespeare Wars comes to us in waves of new revelations.

B ILLY C OLLINS , former U.S. poet laureate