Martin Armstrong Knihy

Celebrated prose retellings of Shakespeare's plays Charles and Mary Lamb have delighted generations of adults as well as children with their famed prose renderings of Shakespeare's originals. Bringing the plays to life in a form that encourages readers to enjoy and explore, "Tales from Shakespeare" provides an entertaining and informative introduction to the great works while retaining much of Shakespeare's lyricism, phrasing, and rhythm. It is a captivating work of Romantic storytelling as well as the original literary homage to the Bard.

The book delves into the historical significance of ancient coinage to argue Cleopatra's Greek identity, challenging the notion of her being black African due to Egypt's location in North Africa. It explores her strategic motives, particularly her manipulation of Mark Antony, aiming to incite a civil war that would enable her to reclaim power and seek vengeance against Rome for its conquest of Greece. This analysis offers a fresh perspective on Cleopatra's political ambitions and the complexities of her alliances.

Boris Yeltsin's farewell words to Vladimir Putin emphasized the importance of safeguarding Russia as he stepped down from the presidency in August 1999. Yeltsin's choice of Putin as his successor was a strategic move aimed at ensuring stability and preventing potential threats to the nation. This pivotal decision set the stage for Putin's rise and the subsequent direction of Russian politics.