Alumni Travel Reading Lists 2020: Behind the Scenes: Classic Theatre & Historic Homes in England

Sheds new light on all the key individuals and events in English history by bringing them together in an account of the country's birth, rise to global prominence, and then partial eclipse.

History of London from Roman times to the present. Illustrates a detailed landscape of the city and captures London's fortunes, people, and imperial glory.

This book describes England and the English, their history from its first inhabitants, 700,000 years ago, to the cosmopolitan energy of today's England.

Examines the period in British architectural history known as the English Baroque.

Scholars examine the national identity of architecture across the British archipelago and the Atlantic world.

Explores the interiors and decoration of the great country houses of England, offering a presentation of the epitome of style in each period of the country house.

Cannadine provides a look at the lifestyle, architecture, and interior design of the country house of the British Isles. With hundreds of photographs from the National Trust, and others from public and private collections, this visually lavish volume draws back the curtain on important historic homes in England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland.

This work provides a visual record of those English country estates that were broken up for sale and lost forever. Photographs live on to remind us of how the landscape looked before the vicissitudes of life and time chipped away at the means of landed families to hold their estates together. Robinson surveys 20 of the most regretted losses, from Costessy in East Anglia to Lathom in Lancashire.

Follows the trail of those hunting for Shakespeare’s library, taking us through different conceptions of the library and of the man himself.

Overview of the history of the reception and study of Shakespeare's language from his death right up to the present.

Examines Shakespeare’s role in the Elizabethan era, and answers quintessentially Shakespearean questions.

Shakespeare and Amateur Performance explores the achievements of those outside the theatrical profession who have been determined to do Shakespeare themselves. This illustrated work of theatre history enriches our understanding of how and why Shakespeare's plays have mattered to diverse audiences and performances across so many centuries.

Shakespeare Inside reaveals Shakespeare's continuing influence to contemporary soceity, most particularly in prisons. Based upon the author's experience of watching prison yard rehearsals and performances, and interviewing inmates, program directors, and wardens, we hear an ex-offender describe how playing Desdemona was vital to his rehabilitation; we sit in the audience of women inmates as they respond to the all-male Shakespeare Behind Bars touring production of Julius Caesar; and we listen to a chorus of unnamed voices explain how rewriting Hamlet helps them to survive solitary confinement. A testament to the lasting relevancy of the Bard.

Explores England’s national obsession with all things horticultural.

British artists have shared a passion for looking hard at the world around them. Shows how this observation paved the way for Realism, Impressionism, and the birth of modern art

Traces major events in British history and examines the ways in which royal portraiture has reflected individual sitters’ personalities and wider social, cultural and historical change.

Analyzes tea histories, advertisements, and nine Victorian novels, including Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Wuthering Heights, and Portrait of a Lady.

Expression of why English society has so steadfastly preserved its teatime tradition.

Tells the story of tea and its uses, from ancient times to the present, from East to West.

Essays that include discussions of plays by Shakespeare, Marlowe, and Middleton as well as lesser known works and playwrights.

Looks into the politics of theatre culture and playbook publication.

Studies five instances of a transfer of power in the 16th and early 17th centuries. Focused on the political function and agency of drama in smoothing these transitions.

Insights on the unwritten rules and foibles of "squaddies," bikers, horse-riders, and more.

Look at who's who and what's what of British popular culture. Explores more than 200 key people, products, and phenomena in British popular culture.

Investigation into what it really means to have proper manners. Delves into the English character and investigates what it means to be English.

Explores how and why consumers around the world leverage a wide range of products, services, and experiences to satisfy their fascination with the British Royal Family brand.

Fully annotated edition of Pride and Prejudice with more than 2,300 annotations.

Recounts the story of a boy born in the workhouse and raised in an infant farm as he tries to make his way in the world.

Account of a group of barnyard animals who revolt against their vicious human master and the submit to a tyranny erected by their own kind.