Best Medieval Dramas & Plays
Do you know that the FIRST 9/11 attack actually occurred at Vienna on September 11-12 in 1683 when the Ottoman Empire stood poised at the gateway to Christian Europe with the intention of forcing Islam on the entire continent? After a months-long assault, the Turks were just hours away from bringing down the weakening citadel and imposing jihad. Aleksy, a Tatar raised by a Polish peasant family, holds in his heart the wish to become a Polish winged hussar, a Christian lancer who carries into battle a device attached to his back that holds dozens of eagle feathers. Historical Novels Review "This classic different-worlds love affair provides the human grounding for a larger story replete with well-researched period details about the struggle of 17th-century Europe against the forces of Islam, and Martin is a skilled enough storyteller to keep the whole narrative moving forward briskly to a very satisfying conclusion. He and she exchange words during a chance encounter; her brothers, though, don't take kindly to him, and a fight ensues, leading Aleksy and his family to fear Lord Halicki's wrath. Martin sets the stage so tidily that the plight of Aleksy and Krystyna, who desire to move beyond the social classes that keep them apart, transcends the historical moment. Kirkus Reviews "Amidst class and religious warfare, this alternately romantic and brutal love story is also a reminder that the struggle between Christianity and Islam is a great deal older than 2001. In an ethnically diverse Poland that is now long gone, the main characters struggle with loyalties to family, race, and country as they come to understand that no fear or evil is unchangeable." James Conroyd Martin is the award-winning author of PUSH NOT THE RIVER, a novel based on the diary of a countess in 1790s Poland; AGAINST A CRIMSON SKY, which continues the family saga into the Napoleonic era; and The WARSAW CONSPIRACY, detailing the young Polish cadets' rising against the mighty Russia.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Being a huge fan of Polish History and also a huge Romeo and Juliet fan, I absolutely loved this book."
"Didn't know how it would end till the last page where I did think it was a little trite and a bit contrary to one character's personality."
"The book is historical fiction but Martin has thoroughly researched the Polish history in order to create an authentic story that blends the conflicts of class, and prejudice."
"The narrative seems to suggest that Wawel Cathedral is located on the Rynek, the Market Square in Krakow."
"I like about the historical background of the great siege of Vienna."
"As a student of history, especially European history, The Boy Who Wanted Wings was hard to put down from start to finish."
"I have read all 4 books written by this author and I hope he writes more books soon because I loved all of them!"
"A highly-enjoyable novel that is based on an actual Historical Events."
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. He was a founding member of the Committee on Social Thought and coedited the University of Chicago Press’s prestigious series The Complete Greek Tragedies .
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I am completely thrilled reading through this 4 volume hard cover set."
"The book has almost no footnotes (only Grene's translations of "Seven Against Thebes" and "Prometheus Bound" have any at all, and there they are sparse), but each play (or collection of plays, in the case of the Oresteia) is introduced by a brief explanatory essay. If you know nothing about the Greeks or Greek tragedy, these essays will not be enough to get you through (and you should check out Rose's _Handbook of Greek Literature_), but if you have a little background information already, the essays are helpful (especially the introductory essay to the Oresteia, which is the most fulsome). In addition to being important as part of the history of drama, the plays are important primary sources of Greek mythology."
"This is an excellent publication and of great benefit to many fields of research."
"These plays are hard to read -- they often have lines that don't particularly make sense -- and they are essentially slow-motion monologues spouted to the audience. That said, the stories these plays tell, despite getting pooh-poohed a bit in the translators' introductions, are amazing, and even though I was relieved to put the book down, I find myself continually thinking about the characters and their lives long afterwards. The sense of them was on the tip of our tongues in Greek, but any kind of English translation was misleading, being either nonsense or implying more than the Greek said. In those situations, we would naturally see what professional translators had done and some of them were pretty wild, taking a shot in the dark and essentially inventing a lucid English passage that had little to do with the Greek. And I certainly don't blame the translator: our collective sense, shared by undergrad and professor alike, was that Lattimore was the man when it came to translating Greek, so I figure this collection is about as good as it gets. This makes Prometheus qualitatively different from the other immortals in Greek mythology, who are worshiped out of fear and hope of further benefits."
"1 (Aeschylus), 2 (Sophocles), and 3 (Euripides part I) are available individually in new, hardcover versions -- but good luck tracking down a new, 1992 edition of Vol. I'm not sure it's worthwhile to buy the first three volumes separately and then hunt around for the remaining plays in a different format (note the sad voice of experience here.)."
"I had this set decades ago but never read the plays, just liked the way the books looked on the shelf."
On a journey with his fellow pilgrims to Canterbury Cathedral, Robin, a drunken miller, tells an earthy but imaginative story of how the beautiful young wife of a middle-aged carpenter is seduced by Nicholas, a clever but cunning scholar. To continue their sexual relationship, Nicholas devises a ludicrous plan to keep the affair secret from not only the suspicious husband but also his rival, a well-mannered but equally lecherous parish clerk.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Funny, bawdy and short enough to maintain my interest."
"It's as risque and funny now as it was when it was written."
Best Comedic Dramas & Plays
This book contains some delicious schadenfreude in which I recall such humiliating debacles as breaking my shoulder while trying to impress a guy, coming very close to spending my life in a Guatemalan prison, and having my lacerated ear sewn back on by a deaf guy after losing it in a torrid love affair. “If having a quote from me might make you buy this book, you need to take a long hard look at yourself.”— James Corden “[An] honest, witty debut.”— Cosmopolitan “The comedian and creator of 2 Broke Girls spares no embarrassing details in this richly funny tell-all.”— InStyle “Hilarious.” -- People. Cummings uses borderline-insane life experiences...as a springboard for poignant self-reflection.”— Los Angeles Magazine “Provides an honest viewpoint on what it means to be a successful woman in the business world and the importance of facing insecurities straight on. “A zippy, unabashed narrative confronting personal adversity with an equal mix of humor and sincerity...[ I’m Fine...And Other Lies is] an extremely self-deprecating assault on a laundry list of proclivities, insecurities, and intimate fears many readers will easily relate to...Akin to the inner-critical narrative voice of Amy Schumer, Cummings’ observations expectedly tackle the uncomfortable and the embarrassing...with deflective humor and straight-up honesty, humility, and a keen sense of humanity.”— Kirkus Reviews “All hail the arrival of Whitney Cummings as a truly hilarious, keenly insightful and endlessly entertaining author. Her experiences will resonate deeply with those who battle low self worth and codependency.” – Publishers Weekly , starred review “If celebrity memoirs are high up on her list, this hilarious book set against touching and relatable lessons is just the one.” -- PureWow.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I'm not an expert on writing book reviews."
"I Bought the book as a gift but I read excerpts before sending.."
"With all the left and right, liberal and conservative stuff going on, and blindly following one side with way too much fervor, we really have to stop and actually have a conversation with people who think differently than we do."
"Good book with good and helpful info that's sprinkled with humor."
"I saw her at a local Improv and really loved her act, character, and genuine "human" aspect that she brings to everything she does."
"not what I was expecting but after reading it I realize I am not crazy!!!!!!"
"Maybe I’m biased because I love everything Whitney Cummings does."
"My sister loved this book."
Best Tragic Dramas & Plays
This is a story of dire happenstances that broke a mind and spirit, created beliefs that twisted innocence, ultimately morphing into a malicious brew that changed the world forever. My aim in writing The Secret Journals of Adolf Hitler was to meet Hitler in person through personal documents that have survived, then deconstruct and reconstruct him via the concept of his life being revealed in journal entries. Written from a detached, personal perspective, I attempt to convey a realistic portrait devoid of condemnation or glory, yet firmly acknowledging the crimes he promulgated. There are truths that will never be known, since the Nazis went to great lengths to cover their tracks, but in the absence of facts, there are plenty of rumors.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"No matter what history has told us of this man, the truth in this book speaks for itself, as the author takes us on a long, dark, fascinating journey into what could only be coined a journey “through the hell of a mad mind.” Hitler was both genius and chaotic, rising to a level of power that set the world on fire. It becomes a struggle to stop turning pages as the brilliant characters the author has created bring this book to life and drive it home with serious intensity."
"I very quickly slipped into enjoying the author's portrayal of historical events from the angle of the protagonists; a refreshing viewpoint that could only be represented by a novel; unless real journals of Hitler and his henchmen are one day discovered. I don't know how such an author as A.G. Mogan has such a sophisticated grasp of events that happened decades before her birth, except that it must've involved a natural gift of perception combined with the study of psychology and extensive historical research. However, even if I were to remove one star, I'm sufficiently impressed with A.G. Mogan's, 'The Secret Journals of Adolf Hitler: Volume 1' to say that anyone in the author's target audience will surely find this novel an informative, entertaining, possibly disturbing, but ultimately rewarding read."
"I started reading this with a good dose of scepticism for the obvious reasons, plus the fact that I've heavily researched through countless books, the minds of psychopaths themselves, having been involved with these unempathetic individuals on a personal level several times."
"I recommend this book to any history buff and even non history buff, just look at me, that is looking for a good read to add to their reading list for the year."
"I mean we all look at him as a monster, not as a man who grew up from a child, a teenager and a young man."
"Reading this book allows an understanding of the events and even thought processes in Hitler's life that brought about what can only be described as some of the worst transgressions against humanity."
Best Children's Dramas & Plays
Based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, a new play by Jack Thorne, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is the eighth story in the Harry Potter series and the first official Harry Potter story to be presented on stage. Praise for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Parts I and II * “Series fans can breathe easy knowing this play has been respectfully and lovingly wrought.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I read the books 2-3 times per year since I was a child. These books are a part of me, I've named my children after characters in these books. I have waited for this book like the rest of you. I get more of a harry potter vibe from the fantastic beasts trailer than this entire book. I think the best way to go into reading this and saving yourself from despair is to read it as a fanfic and not the true works of rowling."
"I keep wondering if there's a therapy group where all the disgruntled fans can congragate and weep together. The entire 7 book series was about friendship, love and loyalty, and Harry knew that; and most importantly, knew that's what made him different from V. You're telling me, he, Ron and Herm didn't continue to live and instil those values in their children? Harry wouldn't have choosen work over time with his family, which after all he'd been through WAS ALL HE EVER WANTED. This new book is the worst kind of trash, the one that destroys the soul of our hero. Also, what they did to calm, measured, quirky, wise Dumbledore, making him a weepy, rude mess, who spoke in cliches, issuing a completely unnecessary "apology" to why Harry was at the Dursleys, when Dumbledore had already apologized profusely for that in HP5 AND severely told off the Dursleys in HP6 for their abusive behavior! And what a weak, floppy mess Harry was during the fight scene?!"
"I want to start this by saying that I am a huge Harry Potter fan. I grew up with Harry, I went to midnight premiers of the books and movies. His character, all jokes no supporting and listening to Harry and Hermione. o In the last book when they are dropping off the children at the Hogwarts express, the kids are genuinely confused as to why everyone is looking at them and Ron makes a joke saying “I’m famous”. It is deduced that the kids do not know the extent of everything their parents went through to save the world. Let’s go back to that epilogue where they all see Draco with his family and a joke gets made about not playing with his son. Which then Hermione corrects and Ron says to beat him on test but not to get too cozy and marry him. She would have loved to mother the Dark Lords child; there would have been no greater honor. And then the gang goes to Malfoy manor there is no baby in sight. Voldemort would have wanted an heir; wouldn’t he have made it a horcrux and offered it more protection? I know she was horrible but I do think Harry would have deep feelings about his mother’s sister passing. Sirius Black escapes and the freaking muggle minister is alerted! But hey, this guy who tortured the Longbottoms into insanity he escapes and it’s cool. It’s sounding more and more as if this witch convinced herself that she is the heir of the dark lord. Cedric a character who was noble and good and died oh so tragically. This character who was loyal and kind and helped Harry turns DARK SIDE?!?! CEDRIC A DEAD EATER HAHAHAHA NOPE NOT FUNNY. Thank you for turning a good character and completely changing him for the worse. Thank goodness you did not include Sirius Black in your play. But wait not, here I got some polyjuice potion here in my back pocket and I just happen to carry my dad and his best friends hairs at all times. Harry duels Delphi (a eighteen year old) and she is stronger?"
Best Regional & Cultural Dramas & Plays
Miranda, along with Jeremy McCarter, a cultural critic and theater artist who was involved in the project from its earliest stages--"since before this was even a show," according to Miranda--traces its development from an improbable performance at the White House to its landmark opening night on Broadway six years later. This glorious, oversize testament to the multiple Tony Award-winning musical Hamilton is a joy to anyone who loves the sound track or who has been lucky enough to score tickets to the show.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I've read the Chernow biography, listened to the cast recording non-stop (ha) since September, and been an avid follower of Lin's tweets, Facebook posts, interviews, #Ham4Ham shows, and Genius annotations. Among other delights, it includes: the full libretto of this sung-through (and rapped-through) show, with extensive annotations from LMM that give new insights, meaning, and historical context to the words that you might already know by heart; more than 30 essays about the cast members, the production team, the creative process, and the facts of Hamilton's life; copies of relevant historical documents referenced in the show; pages from LMM's notebooks with early drafts and outlines; and a stunningly beautiful array of production photographs, cast portraits, and backstage candids. There is the American Revolution that is brought to life in this show, and there is the revolution of the show itself - "a musical that changes the way that Broadway sounds, that alters who gets to tell the story of our founding, that lets us glimpse the new, more diverse America rushing our way.""
"Giddy with excitement, I pulled back the packaging tab and inside was this glorious tome. Looking forward to enveloping myself in this Hamilton word and pictures story, that is until I actually get to see the show... A girl can dream :-). Edited to add: and the dream is almost a reality... Used this gorgeous book to deliver surprise tickets to my niece who turned 18 today."
"It's not a love that's died down over the past few weeks - indeed, it's only continued to grow - so it's no surprise that I picked up Hamilton: A Revolution, which tells the story of the writing of the musical, as well as providing Miranda's annotations for all of the show's songs and lyrics. The fact that the book alternates between short essays and songs from the show allows the pictures to nicely complement the text at all times, giving the reader a sense of how the show might play out, and giving us the chance to pair images with the songs that so many of us already know by heart. More than that, though, they give you a sense of the care that went into the staging of the show; from the set to the costuming, from the insanely detailed props to the intricate stage layout, the book conveys the fact that the show is every bit as carefully crafted and intricately constructed as the album and the songs. Even with all the time I've spent on Genius reading the show's annotations can't replace the glee of reading the lyrics in a beautifully made book, and getting to savor all of Miranda's wonderful prose - the wordplay, the historical allusions, the shout-outs to old school rap and Broadway staples, all of it."
"It is not in Kindle format; it's just photocopies of double columned pages that doesn't fit the screen and is very hard to read."
Best Ancient & Classical Dramas & Plays
Duke Frederick, younger brother to Duke Senior, has overthrown his brother and forced him to live homeless in the forest with his courtiers, including the cynical Jaques. These include primogeniture, passing property from a father to his oldest son. As You Like It depicts intense conflict between brothers, exposing the human suffering that primogeniture entails. Most of Orlando’s courtship of Rosalind takes place while Rosalind is disguised as a man, “Ganymede.” At her urging, Orlando pretends that Ganymede is his beloved Rosalind. The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC, is home to the world’s largest collection of Shakespeare’s printed works, and a magnet for Shakespeare scholars from around the globe. Although some think that sometime between 1610 and 1613 Shakespeare retired from the theater and returned home to Stratford, where he died in 1616, others believe that he may have continued to work in London until close to his death.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I was recently offered a role in a local community theater production of William Shakespeare’s “The Tragedy of Macbeth.” The play’s director encouraged all actors to gain a deeper understanding of Shakespeare’s words, to better perform each part. While I was memorizing my lines from the left-hand pages, I quickly discovered I could learn my character’s deeper motivations for what he was saying by referring to the modern English paraphrase."
"I have read the Masters of Rome series since the beginning but I failed to notice that this one came out in 2007 so I was very excited to buy it and start reading it. I have enjoyed the series and found it insightful about the internal and external forces that destroyed the Roman Republic and birthed the Roman Empire."
"The book sets up and amazing plot of romance, jealousy and betrayal in which satisfaction is met in such a way at the end of the book that the reader is left with mixed emotions this is truly a great book to read and to talk about."
"Nor does she forget the rest of the vivid cast that populate the story, from Octavian -- now calling himself Caesar -- and his sister, Octavia, and Mark Antony, Julius Caesar's former friend and now determined to make himself just as great as slain dictator. McCullough creates some of the most unusual characters that I've come across in a long time, and ones that forced me to fling aside all of my preconcieved notions of this often told story. It's subtle, engaging and while she's not adverse about putting a bit of creativity in the story, she also knows her facts. It's here that makes her storytelling so good -- she creates characters that the reader can feel deeply about, and while you might not like them personally, they are compelling. Along the way, there's plenty of details about daily life, the way that the ancients looked at the world around them, and some deeply moving prose."
Best Dramas & Plays by Women
The playscript for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child was originally released as a 'special rehearsal edition' alongside the opening of Jack Thorne's play in London's West End in summer 2016. When Albus hatches a plot to go back in time to save the life of Cedric Diggory—what Albus views as the biggest mistake his father made—time becomes distorted and Harry is left to examine his own life, his relationship with his son, and how love can sometimes be much more complicated than it seems. This is an interesting extension of the "Harry Potter" universe, but readers should go into it knowing that it's its own beast. Rowling didn't write it (much to the fury and vitriol of many fans), and it is in script form, so it loses some of the magic that won over millions of readers back when it all began.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I read the books 2-3 times per year since I was a child. These books are a part of me, I've named my children after characters in these books. I have waited for this book like the rest of you. I get more of a harry potter vibe from the fantastic beasts trailer than this entire book. I think the best way to go into reading this and saving yourself from despair is to read it as a fanfic and not the true works of rowling."
"I keep wondering if there's a therapy group where all the disgruntled fans can congragate and weep together. The entire 7 book series was about friendship, love and loyalty, and Harry knew that; and most importantly, knew that's what made him different from V. You're telling me, he, Ron and Herm didn't continue to live and instil those values in their children? Harry wouldn't have choosen work over time with his family, which after all he'd been through WAS ALL HE EVER WANTED. This new book is the worst kind of trash, the one that destroys the soul of our hero. Also, what they did to calm, measured, quirky, wise Dumbledore, making him a weepy, rude mess, who spoke in cliches, issuing a completely unnecessary "apology" to why Harry was at the Dursleys, when Dumbledore had already apologized profusely for that in HP5 AND severely told off the Dursleys in HP6 for their abusive behavior! And what a weak, floppy mess Harry was during the fight scene?!"
"I want to start this by saying that I am a huge Harry Potter fan. I grew up with Harry, I went to midnight premiers of the books and movies. His character, all jokes no supporting and listening to Harry and Hermione. o In the last book when they are dropping off the children at the Hogwarts express, the kids are genuinely confused as to why everyone is looking at them and Ron makes a joke saying “I’m famous”. It is deduced that the kids do not know the extent of everything their parents went through to save the world. Let’s go back to that epilogue where they all see Draco with his family and a joke gets made about not playing with his son. Which then Hermione corrects and Ron says to beat him on test but not to get too cozy and marry him. She would have loved to mother the Dark Lords child; there would have been no greater honor. And then the gang goes to Malfoy manor there is no baby in sight. Voldemort would have wanted an heir; wouldn’t he have made it a horcrux and offered it more protection? I know she was horrible but I do think Harry would have deep feelings about his mother’s sister passing. Sirius Black escapes and the freaking muggle minister is alerted! But hey, this guy who tortured the Longbottoms into insanity he escapes and it’s cool. It’s sounding more and more as if this witch convinced herself that she is the heir of the dark lord. Cedric a character who was noble and good and died oh so tragically. This character who was loyal and kind and helped Harry turns DARK SIDE?!?! CEDRIC A DEAD EATER HAHAHAHA NOPE NOT FUNNY. Thank you for turning a good character and completely changing him for the worse. Thank goodness you did not include Sirius Black in your play. But wait not, here I got some polyjuice potion here in my back pocket and I just happen to carry my dad and his best friends hairs at all times. Harry duels Delphi (a eighteen year old) and she is stronger?"
Best Religious & Liturgical Dramas & Plays
It is a captivating read and filled with powerfully moving stories about men and woman who were saved, delivered, and literally rescued from certain death. Bonnke s God given vision of a blood washed Africa changed his life, and changed the world.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I believe I have purchased at least THREE of these from Amazon."
"A holy fire that will convince you that nothing is impossible with God.""
"True to the song "It only takes a spark..to get the fire going" and oh my what a spARK! Book begins with how the spark began, in an obscure little village no longer on the map, whereupon an old German preacher stumbled into upon getting lost, and found himself amid cold folk but who jumped at the chance of being used to heal the village leader who was bedridden for two years imprisoned by pain, but even though there were just two converted that day, the healed man and his wife (and presumably his 17 y.o."
"Reinhard Bonnke, though now retired and stationed in Florida, I believe is the greatest evangelist of the 20th century when it comes to preaching the complete Gospel: the work of the cross of Jesus, healing by the power of the Holy Spirit, and the complete message of redemption for spirit and body!"
"A friend recommended this book after having attended a conference led by Rev."
"Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke really uplifted my walk with the Lord through this book."
"God's hand is very evident on Reinhard's ministry and the results (millions of souls won for the kingdom; lives and hearts transformed) are impressive."
"Reinhard reveals his life of true faith and all the blessings and miracles that have followed... after reading his story you will wonder why you EVER doubted God's power and His Spirit in your life!!"
Best Drama & Play Anthologies
Duke Frederick, younger brother to Duke Senior, has overthrown his brother and forced him to live homeless in the forest with his courtiers, including the cynical Jaques. These include primogeniture, passing property from a father to his oldest son. As You Like It depicts intense conflict between brothers, exposing the human suffering that primogeniture entails. Most of Orlando’s courtship of Rosalind takes place while Rosalind is disguised as a man, “Ganymede.” At her urging, Orlando pretends that Ganymede is his beloved Rosalind. The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC, is home to the world’s largest collection of Shakespeare’s printed works, and a magnet for Shakespeare scholars from around the globe. Although some think that sometime between 1610 and 1613 Shakespeare retired from the theater and returned home to Stratford, where he died in 1616, others believe that he may have continued to work in London until close to his death.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I was recently offered a role in a local community theater production of William Shakespeare’s “The Tragedy of Macbeth.” The play’s director encouraged all actors to gain a deeper understanding of Shakespeare’s words, to better perform each part. While I was memorizing my lines from the left-hand pages, I quickly discovered I could learn my character’s deeper motivations for what he was saying by referring to the modern English paraphrase."
"I have read the Masters of Rome series since the beginning but I failed to notice that this one came out in 2007 so I was very excited to buy it and start reading it. I have enjoyed the series and found it insightful about the internal and external forces that destroyed the Roman Republic and birthed the Roman Empire."
"The book sets up and amazing plot of romance, jealousy and betrayal in which satisfaction is met in such a way at the end of the book that the reader is left with mixed emotions this is truly a great book to read and to talk about."
"Nor does she forget the rest of the vivid cast that populate the story, from Octavian -- now calling himself Caesar -- and his sister, Octavia, and Mark Antony, Julius Caesar's former friend and now determined to make himself just as great as slain dictator. McCullough creates some of the most unusual characters that I've come across in a long time, and ones that forced me to fling aside all of my preconcieved notions of this often told story. It's subtle, engaging and while she's not adverse about putting a bit of creativity in the story, she also knows her facts. It's here that makes her storytelling so good -- she creates characters that the reader can feel deeply about, and while you might not like them personally, they are compelling. Along the way, there's plenty of details about daily life, the way that the ancients looked at the world around them, and some deeply moving prose."