I doubt that anyone could do justice with any review of this giant Globe Illustrated Shakespeare (The Complete Works Annotated)edited by Howard Staunton with annotations and commentary by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Samual Johnson and others. In truth, this fantastic work is just too vast and important to attempt an evaluation of every play, prose and poetry this volume contains. This is at best an overview of the material in this enormous body of work. This massive 8 by 11 hardcover volume is 3 inches thick with 2364 pages. The illustrations for this text are by Sir John Gilbert and Ray Abel, with the engravings are by the brothers Dalziel. The foreword is by Solomon J. Schepps. This book was initially published in three separate volumes in "The Plays of Shakespeare." This huge book is organized to include those three volumes. Volume one covers The two gentlemen of Verona, Love's labour's lost, The comedy of errors, Romeo and Juliet, The taming of the shrew, King John, A midsummer's night's dream. The merchant of Venice, King Richard the second, The first part of King Henry the fourth, The merry wives of Windsor, and Much ado about nothing. The second volume covers All's well that ends well, King Henry the fifth, As you like it, Pericles, Prince of Tyre, Twelfth night or, What you will, The first part of Henry the sixth, The second part of Henry the sixth, The third part of Henry the sixth, Timon of Athens, King Richard the third, Measure for measure, King Henry the eighth, and Cymbeline. The third volume includes: The Tempest, King Lear, Coriolanus, Winter's tale, Troilus and Cressida, Hamlet, Julius Caesar, Macbeth, Antony and Cleopatra, Titus Andronicus, Othello and Poems. In the appendixes they include some account of the life of Shakespeare, Shakespeare's will, Preliminary matter in the folio of 1623 and Commendatory verses. In conclusion, this is not a book you would carry around to read, unless you intend to use it as an exercise tool. It is, however, a beautiful hardcover volume you should keep on a coffee table for any lover of Shakespeare to appreciate. If you have a real passion for Shakespeare, this volume should be on your "must have list." I am glad I have my copy of this fantastic book. Rating: 5 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Haiku Moments: How to read, write and enjoy haiku) Read more

Bought it for my partner. Will be a great present. Read more

Perhaps the best edition out there, if you like your Shakespeare illustrated in the style of the 18th century and annotated. The book is, I must add, massive and is not the edition you want if portability is what you are looking for. This is more a family heirloom. Read more