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The Pelican Shakespeare is available in hardcover for the first time in one complete collection only at Amazon.com.

For anyone with an abiding love of the Bard and his to all of Shakepeares singular contributiOn to English literature, this complete library combines enduring beauty with the scholarship and authority demanded by modern readers. Easier to read and enjoy than massive, single-volume editions, these individual volumes feature authori tative text, essays on how the plays would have been performed in Shakespeare's day, and notes valuable for general readers, teachers, students, and theater professionals. Here, in 38 truly stunning heirloom volumes, are William Shakespeare's classic plays and sonnets in the only complete, individually-bound set of Shakespeare's works currently available. The tragedies, comedies, histories, and poetry, so beloved by millions of readers and theater-goers, are reproduced here in luxurious, linen-bound hardcovers, enhanced by silver stamping on the covers and spines, and sewn-in, satin ribbon markers.

The distinguished Pelican Shakespeare editions have sold five million copies. Since the series debuted more than forty years ago, developments in scholarship have revolutionized our understanding of William Shakespeare, his time, and his works. The general editors of the Pelican Shakespeare, Stephen Orgel of Stanford University and A. R. Braunmiller of UCLA, have assembled a team of six eminent scholars who, along with the general editors themselves, have prepared new introductions and note * Authoritative and meticulously researched texts * Illuminating new introductions and notes by distinguished authors * Essays on Shakespeare's life, the theatrical world of his time, and the selection of texts * A handsome new design inside and out * Deluxe packaging, including a full-linen case with silver stamping, ribbon marker, printed endpapers, and acid-free paper * Line numbers marking every tenth line and footnote references * Both glossorial and explanatory notes appearing conveniently at the foot of the page

Included are:

Tragedies

Antony and Cleopatra

Coriolanus

Hamlet

Julius Caesar

King Lear

Macbeth

Othello

Romeo and Juliet

Timon of Athens

Titus Andronicus

Histories

Henry IV, Part I

Henry IV, Part II

Henry V

Henry VI, Part I

Henry VI, Part II

Henry VI, Part III

Henry VIII

King John

Richard II

Richard III

Comedies

All's Well That Ends Well

As You Like It

The Comedy of Errors

Cymbeline

Love's Labor's Lost

Measure for Measure

The Merry Wives of Windsor

The Merchant of Venice

A Midsummer Night's Dream

Much Ado About Nothing

Pericles

The Taming of the Shrew

The Tempest

Troilus and Cressida

Twelfth Night

Two Gentlemen of Verona

The Winter's Tale

Poetry

The Sonnets

Average Customer Rating:

Very much worth the investment - IF you're already initiated

Customer Rating:

I am a non-native speaker of English who have been struggling to get into Shakespeare's language for a while. My method so far has been reading translations along with the original (over the internet and in Penguin books) and ensuing the aid of "no fear Shakespeare", Sparknotes and other internet resources, plus the glossary "Shakespeare Words", which I also bought from Amazon. Only after struggling through several plays I felt I was ready to take one and just read it with the help of only the most essential notes. I thought this complete works would be perfect to finish my Shakespeare education, and it looks like it is. The print is very neat, the notes are convenientely marked, the binding and the cover are very solid, and it definitely looks very well on the bookshelf. They just invite you to look at it and think "Oh, I think I'll spend the weekend with Troilus and Cressida". I should note, however, that the notes and introductions are NOT detailed enough to get the completely uninitiated through the language and historical references. I recommend that people buy some cheap editions of the most famous plays first and take advantage of the aforementioned internet resources. Otherwise, one can get a little frustrated at not being ready to just take one of those very nice looking books and read it. That is even more true for the sonnets. Once you feel confortable with the basic language, however, it is very much worth the investment. The conver protect the books very well, and the collection may make into the list of the few books your grandchildren will want to keep when they give away most of your library. All the plays are here, even the least appreciated co-authored(though not the probabley spurious Edward III), and who is to say that one day, once you know the most famous works well, you won't feel like completing the works with "King John" or the entire tetralogies? Trust me, you do not get that enthusiasm when you have the complete works in a single volume. Those are good to brace the leg of the table, as a friend of mine accurately noted.

Recommended at $119 price

Customer Rating:

It's rare when you find consistently positive reviews on amazon.com. For this set, the praises are warranted. I recently paid the full $119 and have no regrets. I finished "As You Like It" and have started "The Winter's Tale." These books are an attractive and worthy addition to anyone's library. The text is well-complemented with annotations. The introductory essays are helpful. I intend to go to these books more than my luxurious, and far more pricey, Easton Press editions. I only wish I would have found this set sooner.

Durable Shakespeare, Good Bargain

Customer Rating:

Like many people who commented on this collection, I watched the price fluctuate before I finally pulled the trigger at about $60. I have a big, beautiful complete works of Shakespeare bound in leather that mostly sits on my shelf because it is such a burden to take down and actually read. If you actually want a durable set of plays and poems that does not involve heavy weightlifting, this is the set for you. They fit nicely in the hand, the text is pleasing to the eye, and they do not look dirt cheap. I have absolutely no regrets about buying these volumes - they are bound in navy cloth, embossed in silver, and each includes a ribbon bookmark. I know others have complained about this not being a "complete" set in every sense of the word, but for most of us out there, this collection should be sufficient and I dare say will impress your friends.

Not a flashy Set but the price was right at the time.

Customer Rating:

When I purchased the set it was on sale for 80% off. so with shipping included I was able to get all these books for roughly $63. As I said the set is not flashy but for shakespeare's work all that matters is what is written not the presentation. If you are a fan of shakespeare and there is a massive discount on this set dont hesitate to buy it. It is worth the money. The individual volumes are easier to handle than a giant anthology of works.

a little regret for a Shakespeare freak	Customer Rating:
I have just received this big bunch and I think it is worthwhile for such a low price. But I do doubt why didn't the editor include Shakespeare's two long poems composed during his youthhood, so that it can brand itself the honorable title "Complete Works of William Shakespeare"...