Shakespeare Reading Guides

Which edition to buy, what to read next — specific, opinionated, and honest about the tradeoffs. Shakespeare is a lifetime; these save you the false starts.

The library

The Best Books About ShakespeareSeven books that actually deliver — the life, the plays, the language — and the one to start with.

Best editions

The Best Editions of Shakespeare’s HamletFive editions worth owning, and which one to open first. You’ll live with this book for years — choose the right seat.
The Best Editions of Shakespeare’s King LearFour editions, two rival texts, one impossible play. Which Lear you read depends on who edited it — here’s how to choose.
The Best Editions of Shakespeare’s MacbethFour editions of the shortest tragedy, and which one to open first. Speed is the play’s weapon — pick an edition that keeps it.