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Shakespeare
- The Biography, Aspiring Spirit: From Stratford to London, Volume I
- Narrated by: Simon Callow
- Length: 2 hrs and 57 mins
- Abridged Audiobook
- Categories: Biographies & Memoirs, Entertainment & Celebrities
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Shakespeare
- The Biography, The Upstart Crow: Ambitious Actor and Poet, Volume II
- By: Peter Ackroyd
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- Length: 2 hrs and 57 mins
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 10
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 8
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Story5 out of 5 stars 8
Peter Ackroyd's insightful new biography positions Shakespeare in the close context of his world. In this way, Ackroyd not only richly conjures up the texture of Shakespeare's life, but also imparts an amazing amount of vivid, interesting material about place, period and background. Walk with Ackroyd through sixteenth century London and Stratford as he uncovers the intimate circumstances of Shakespeare's life.
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Shakespeare
- The Biography, A Muse of Fire: Successful Playwright and Businessman, Volume III
- By: Peter Ackroyd
- Narrated by: Simon Callow
- Length: 2 hrs and 58 mins
- Abridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 8
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 7
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 6
Peter Ackroyd's insightful new biography positions Shakespeare in the close context of his world. In this way, Ackroyd not only richly conjures up the texture of Shakespeare's life, but also imparts an amazing amount of vivid, interesting material about place, period and background. Walk with Ackroyd through sixteenth century London and Stratford as he uncovers the intimate circumstances of Shakespeare's life.
-
Shakespeare
- The Biography, The Onlie Begetter: Literary Stardom and Royal Patronage, Volume IV
- By: Peter Ackroyd
- Narrated by: Simon Callow
- Length: 3 hrs
- Abridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 11
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 8
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 8
Peter Ackroyd's insightful new biography positions Shakespeare in the close context of his world. In this way, Ackroyd not only richly conjures up the texture of Shakespeare's life, but also imparts an amazing amount of vivid, interesting material about place, period and background. Walk with Ackroyd through sixteenth century London and Stratford as he uncovers the intimate circumstances of Shakespeare's life.
-
London
- The Biography, Street Life and the People
- By: Peter Ackroyd
- Narrated by: Simon Callow
- Length: 2 hrs and 59 mins
- Abridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 93
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 61
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 58
Ackroyd portrays London from the time of the druids to the beginning of the twenty-first century, noting magnificence in both epochs, but this is not a simple chronological record. It is a comprehensive account, animated by Ackroyd's concern for the close relationship between the present and the past as well as by what he describes as the peculiar "echoic" quality of London whereby its texture and history actively affect the lives and personalities of its citizens.
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2 out of 5 stars
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Why is this so short?
- By E. Walker on 05-10-19
-
London
- The Biography, Foundations
- By: Peter Ackroyd
- Narrated by: Simon Callow
- Length: 3 hrs
- Abridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 69
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 43
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 42
Ackroyd portrays London from the time of the druids to the beginning of the twenty-first century, noting magnificence in both epochs, but this is not a simple chronological record. It is a comprehensive account, animated by Ackroyd's concern for the close relationship between the present and the past as well as by what he describes as the peculiar "echoic" quality of London whereby its texture and history actively affect the lives and personalities of its citizens.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Get under the skin of a city
- By Nigel on 03-05-06
-
London
- The Biography, Districts and Suburbs
- By: Peter Ackroyd
- Narrated by: Simon Callow
- Length: 3 hrs
- Abridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 53
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 32
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 30
Ackroyd portrays London from the time of the druids to the beginning of the twenty-first century, noting magnificence in both epochs, but this is not a simple chronological record. It is a comprehensive account, animated by Ackroyd's concern for the close relationship between the present and the past as well as by what he describes as the peculiar "echoic" quality of London whereby its texture and history actively affect the lives and personalities of its citizens.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
London
- By c gardiner on 14-04-18
-
Shakespeare
- The Biography, The Upstart Crow: Ambitious Actor and Poet, Volume II
- By: Peter Ackroyd
- Narrated by: Simon Callow
- Length: 2 hrs and 57 mins
- Abridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 10
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 8
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 8
Peter Ackroyd's insightful new biography positions Shakespeare in the close context of his world. In this way, Ackroyd not only richly conjures up the texture of Shakespeare's life, but also imparts an amazing amount of vivid, interesting material about place, period and background. Walk with Ackroyd through sixteenth century London and Stratford as he uncovers the intimate circumstances of Shakespeare's life.
-
Shakespeare
- The Biography, A Muse of Fire: Successful Playwright and Businessman, Volume III
- By: Peter Ackroyd
- Narrated by: Simon Callow
- Length: 2 hrs and 58 mins
- Abridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 8
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 7
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 6
Peter Ackroyd's insightful new biography positions Shakespeare in the close context of his world. In this way, Ackroyd not only richly conjures up the texture of Shakespeare's life, but also imparts an amazing amount of vivid, interesting material about place, period and background. Walk with Ackroyd through sixteenth century London and Stratford as he uncovers the intimate circumstances of Shakespeare's life.
-
Shakespeare
- The Biography, The Onlie Begetter: Literary Stardom and Royal Patronage, Volume IV
- By: Peter Ackroyd
- Narrated by: Simon Callow
- Length: 3 hrs
- Abridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 11
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 8
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 8
Peter Ackroyd's insightful new biography positions Shakespeare in the close context of his world. In this way, Ackroyd not only richly conjures up the texture of Shakespeare's life, but also imparts an amazing amount of vivid, interesting material about place, period and background. Walk with Ackroyd through sixteenth century London and Stratford as he uncovers the intimate circumstances of Shakespeare's life.
-
London
- The Biography, Street Life and the People
- By: Peter Ackroyd
- Narrated by: Simon Callow
- Length: 2 hrs and 59 mins
- Abridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 93
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 61
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 58
Ackroyd portrays London from the time of the druids to the beginning of the twenty-first century, noting magnificence in both epochs, but this is not a simple chronological record. It is a comprehensive account, animated by Ackroyd's concern for the close relationship between the present and the past as well as by what he describes as the peculiar "echoic" quality of London whereby its texture and history actively affect the lives and personalities of its citizens.
-
2 out of 5 stars
-
Why is this so short?
- By E. Walker on 05-10-19
-
London
- The Biography, Foundations
- By: Peter Ackroyd
- Narrated by: Simon Callow
- Length: 3 hrs
- Abridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 69
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 43
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 42
Ackroyd portrays London from the time of the druids to the beginning of the twenty-first century, noting magnificence in both epochs, but this is not a simple chronological record. It is a comprehensive account, animated by Ackroyd's concern for the close relationship between the present and the past as well as by what he describes as the peculiar "echoic" quality of London whereby its texture and history actively affect the lives and personalities of its citizens.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Get under the skin of a city
- By Nigel on 03-05-06
-
London
- The Biography, Districts and Suburbs
- By: Peter Ackroyd
- Narrated by: Simon Callow
- Length: 3 hrs
- Abridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 53
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 32
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 30
Ackroyd portrays London from the time of the druids to the beginning of the twenty-first century, noting magnificence in both epochs, but this is not a simple chronological record. It is a comprehensive account, animated by Ackroyd's concern for the close relationship between the present and the past as well as by what he describes as the peculiar "echoic" quality of London whereby its texture and history actively affect the lives and personalities of its citizens.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
London
- By c gardiner on 14-04-18
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What listeners say about Shakespeare
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Soranus
- 20-07-15
Masterly Written and Performed
What made the experience of listening to Shakespeare the most enjoyable?
This book is by three masters: the playwright (Shakespeare), the author (Peter Ackroyd) and the narrator (Simon Callow).
Shakespeare himself is something of an enigma. Whilst we know very little about him Ackroyd has managed to get three volumes out of the life story. Inevitably some of the things he has to say is supposition but is dealt with authoritatively.
The story does not always flow and there is some repetition. Nevertheless I found this an intriguing book.
One of the strengths of this production is that the narrator is Simon Callow, one of the great Shakespearian actors of the modern stage. This adds to the reading of the well written text of Peter Ackroyd.
It is disappointing that all three volumes were not included in one volume since all three are required for this to be a true biography and none of the volumes are useful as stand alone texts.
Having said all of this, I did thoroughly enjoy all three volumes.
What other book might you compare Shakespeare to, and why?
The only other audiobook on Shakespeare I have listened to is the Bill Bryson book "Shakespeare". The Ackroyd book comes across as much more authoritative and the narration no where near as effective as that of Simon Callow.
What does Simon Callow bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?
There is no doubt that listening to Simon Callow at any time is a treat. He, in his own right, is an authority on Shakespeare and he make the excellent text of Ackroyd all the more believable and worth listening to. He manages to present the nuances of Shakespeare and Ackroyd in a way that I would have missed if I had only read the book.
2 people found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- Dan Buell
- 15-02-15
It was okay
This book is just... Boring. I really wish it was more entertaining, but sadly it is not the most captivating of tales.