Bernard Shaws unique place among English critics has been recognized since the time he wrote the famous weekly assessments of the contemporary theatre in The Saturday Review from January 1895 to May 1898. The author collected those essays in the three volumes titled Our Theatres in the Nineties; but the present selection is the first to appear in a single volume. It contains some forty complete essays chosen to provide a representative cross-section of English theatre history in the eighteen-nineties. The Introduction examines Shaws qualities as a critic; pointing to the remarkable body of knowledge with which he sustained his judgments and the invariable intellectual courtesy and serious consideration with which he approached his weekly task; and to the wit with which he lightened it. Shakespeare; Ibsen; Wilde; and Pinero are among the playwrights; Irving; Ellen Terry; Mrs. Patrick Campbell; Forbes-Robertson; Bernhardt; and Duse; among the players; to whom Shaws attention was particularly given in the essays reprinted here. He is seen championing Shakespeare the poet as emphatically as Isben the social thinker; while his campaign to convert Irving to Ibsenism is seen in the essays and is discussed temperately in the Introduction.Keywords: Bernard Shaw Mrs Patrick Campbell Nineties English Critics Contemporary Theatre Theatre History Complete Essays Ellen Terry Remarkable Body Pinero Duse Body Of Knowledge Unique Place Bernhardt Playwrights Cross Section Judgments Forbes Wit English History
2003-06-01 2015-06-08File Name: B00Z9RISFI
Review
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. An interesting insight into HaitiBy Jonathan AustraliaA quite detailed account of life in Haiti from the late 1930s through to the late 60s seen through the eyes of a foreigner as well as very detailed account of initiation into voodoo. The book finishes during the era of Papa Doc so it provides an insight in to Haiti over 50 years ago . The author kept an open mind on all issues; whether politics; voodoo; Haitian history and slavery and the book is refreshingly free of opinions and judgement. It is very well written and it is obvious that Dunham liked Haiti ; obviously so much so that she bought a property there.I enjoyed it thoroughly and recommend it to anyone who has an interest in Haiti and enjoys reading a well written book. One further note; when reading the part of the book devoted to voodoo you will need to constantly use the glossary for an explanation of the language used.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Island Possessed is a very good readBy Paul FigueroaAs I read different books about the history of Haiti; I came upon Island Possessed; an interesting book written by a very interesting and unique woman; Katherine Dunham. The book is primarily about her first visit to the island in 1936 as part of her anthropology study into the dance of the people of the African Diaspora. Soon; she becomes initiated into Voodoo and gives a compelling account of her initiation ceremony.Prior to reading this book; I knew very little of the author. I found her to be someone of enormous courage as someone who was willing to travel alone in some very poor countries in pursuit of her research. Katherine Dunham comes across as very accepting person as she socialized with many different people regardless of their various social classes. However; I did find this last quality to be somewhat bothersome as she became friendly with several dictators of Haiti and Argentina. In fact; Dunhams psychological profiles of Dumarsais Estime; Paul Magloire and Francois Duvalier comes across as mumbo jumbo and it is the weakest part of the book.All in all; Dunham gives a wonderful account of her trip to Haiti. She does digress a lot when telling a story but eventually returns to complete her interesting tale.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. I highly recommend this book for those seeking experience of VoodooBy Papa OThankful for this Jewel! I highly recommend this book for those seeking experience of Voodoo
