The Mysterious William Shakespeare

The Mysterious William Shakespeare examines the authorship question surrounding Shakespeare's works. The book presents extensive research and historical analysis to challenge the traditional attribution of the plays and sonnets to William Shakespeare of Stratford-upon-Avon. Ogburn constructs his case through documentation of Elizabethan England's political landscape and examination of contemporary records. The investigation spans multiple decades and locations as it traces connections between the plays' content and historical figures of the era. The narrative explores class structure, education, and theatrical life in Renaissance England while analyzing the biographical elements found within Shakespeare's works. The book also examines the role of censorship and political intrigue in shaping how plays were attributed and published during this period. At its core, this work raises questions about identity, authenticity, and the nature of genius in Renaissance literature. The book challenges readers to consider how social status and power dynamics influenced both the creation and preservation of some of history's most significant literary works.

Readers describe this book as a detailed examination of the Shakespeare authorship question from an Oxfordian perspective. Many note its thorough research and compilation of historical evidence, with one Amazon reviewer calling it "the most comprehensive case ever made" for Edward de Vere as Shakespeare. Readers appreciated: - The historical context and background information - Clear presentation of the circumstantial evidence - Extensive documentation and references - Engaging writing style that makes complex arguments accessible Common criticisms: - Length (900+ pages) feels excessive and repetitive - Author's tone can be overly confident/dismissive of opposing views - Some arguments rely too heavily on speculation - Price point ($75+ for hardcover) Ratings: Amazon: 4.4/5 (83 reviews) Goodreads: 4.1/5 (156 ratings) Several academic reviewers noted factual errors and questioned some of Ogburn's interpretations of primary sources, though most readers found the overall argument compelling enough to finish the lengthy text.

Shakespeare Beyond Doubt by Paul Edmondson, Stanley Wells This book examines historical evidence and academic arguments surrounding Shakespeare's identity and authorship of his works.

The Shakespeare Conspiracy by Graham Phillips and Martin Keatman The authors present research and documentation suggesting Christopher Marlowe's connection to Shakespeare's works.

Shakespeare's Lost Kingdom by Charles Beauclerk This investigation connects Shakespeare's works to Edward de Vere, the 17th Earl of Oxford, through historical records and literary analysis.

Shakespeare's Unorthodox Biography by Diana Price Price analyzes primary sources and contemporary documents to question Shakespeare's traditional biography and authorship claims.

The Shakespeare Guide to Italy by Richard Paul Roe Roe traces the Italian locations in Shakespeare's plays through Renaissance maps and documents to explore the author's knowledge of Italy.

📚 The book took Charlton Ogburn over a decade to research and write, becoming one of the most comprehensive works arguing that Edward de Vere was the true author of Shakespeare's plays. 🎭 At 892 pages, it was the longest and most detailed examination of the Shakespeare authorship question when published in 1984. ✍️ The author's mother, Dorothy Ogburn, co-wrote "This Star of England" - another book about the Shakespeare authorship debate - inspiring his own deep dive into the subject. 👑 The book suggests that Queen Elizabeth I was directly involved in suppressing Edward de Vere's identity as the real Shakespeare to protect court secrets and political sensitivities. 🔍 Ogburn's work helped inspire the Declaration of Reasonable Doubt About the Identity of William Shakespeare, which has been signed by numerous scholars and prominent figures including Supreme Court Justices Antonin Scalia and John Paul Stevens.