An immersive account of William Shakespeare’s life and legacy presented in a lavishly illustrated journal-style format

The plays and poetry of William Shakespeare have entertained and enlightened us for more than 400 years. By exploring his life in Elizabethan England, Shakespeare’s Notebook provides a fascinating and detailed picture of the man behind the plays, and the theatrical world he inhabited.

Through his works, contemporary sources and a wide selection of illustrations, this book reveals how Shakespeare’s plays relate to his own roles of husband, father, actor and playwright. It celebrates the enduring legacy of rich language and memorable characters that resonate in many forms today.