Far more than any professional historian; Shakespeare is responsible for whatever notions most of us possess about English medieval history. Anyone who appreciates the dramatic action of Shakespeares history plays but is confused by much of the historical detail will welcome this guide to the Richards; Edwards; Henrys; Warwicks and Norfolks who ruled and fought across Shakespeares page and stage. Not only theater-goers and students; but todays film-goers who want to enrich their understanding of film adaptations of plays such as Richard III and Henry V will find this revised edition of Shakespeares English Kings to be an essential companion.Saccios engaging narrative weaves together three threads: medieval English history according to the Tudor chroniclers who provided Shakespeare with his material; that history as understood by modern scholars; and the action of the plays themselves. Including a new preface; a revised further reading list; genealogical charts; an appendix of names and titles; and an index; the second edition of Shakespeares English Kings offers excellent background reading for all of the ten history plays.
#1581498 in eBooks 2010-08-01 2010-09-07File Name: B00499BZES
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Outstanding guide to Christmas filmsBy MusicFanAt my house. we have a list of dozens of Christmas movies that we choose from for our holiday season viewing each year. Yes. we watch classics like "Christmas in Connecticut." "White Christmas." "A Christmas Story." "A Christmas Carol." "Meet Me In St. Louis." and "Its a Wonderful Life." But we also watch less well known. but equally enjoyable. Christmas movies like the 40s film noir "Lady In The Lake." the wartime drama "Ill Be Seeing You" (with Ginger Rogers and Joseph Cotten). the late Ingmar Bergman masterwork "Fanny and Alexander." the romantic comedy/drama "Remember the Night." the fine contemporary British film "Millions." the zany dark comedy "The Ref." and the 70s TV family story "The Homecoming" (the pilot for The Waltons series).All of these. and many more. are featured in this excellent guide to holiday movies. The films are organized into chapters focusing on comedies. kids movies. grown-ups movies. tearjerkers. crime and action stories. horror. bad Christmas movies. and the big classics; theres even a whole chapter on the various films of Dickens "A Christmas Carol." The plot and cast of each film is described in detail. with assessments of how the particular movie fits into the holiday canon and "fun facts" about the film and the makers/actors. (For example. did you know that the director/star of "Lady in the Lake." Robert Montgomery. was the father of "Bewitched" star Elizabeth Montgomery?) At the end of the book. theres an appendix listing dozens of other movies with Christmas content.This is a very useful guide to holiday movies that will give you great ideas for viewing beyond the major classics. On top of that. its just fun and interesting to read. While the author didnt include all of my personal favorites among Christmas movies (for example. "Love Finds Andy Hardy." which is set at Christmastime. isnt featured). I didnt really expect that -- and he did write about many of my favorites. As it is. this book gives a great overview of many holiday films that are worth watching.7 of 7 people found the following review helpful. Its a Wonderful BookBy KimUseyDespite the too-easy title of my review. dont make the mistake of thinking that this terrific compendium of Christmas cinema touches only on the safe and familiar. "Have Yourself a Movie Little Christmas" is the perfect listing of holiday movies. making sure to include beloved classics like Wonderful Life. White Christmas. Miracle on 34th Street. and the myriad versions of A Christmas Carol. but also branching out into such different holiday-film categories as heist and horror. Independent L.A. film critic Alonso Duralde brings an encyclopedic knowledge of film to his task. but never condescends or comes across as anything less delightful than a true lover of movies. and Christmas movies in particular. If you cant wait for December to bring you Hollywoods holiday goodies every year. "Have Yourself a Movie Little Christmas" will whet your appetite for merry movies all the year through. Leonard Maltin just included it on a list of essential movie reference books. and having read through it twice. dog-earing all the way. I have to agree.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Interesting Book!By Glenda CampbellVery interesting book concerning different Christmas movies available for viewing. I especially am always looking for post-WWII movies concerning families at Christmastime while a loved one is serving overseas. Most of the movies I have discovered do not leave me disappointed. This book will be helpful in finding other movies taking place around the holiday.
