Shakespeare. Classic literature. What image does your mind conjure up in response to those daunting words? Quaking fear? Hives? Crushing boredom? Do you harken back to musty, cobweb-adorned memories of high school AP English? Are you recalling your panic days of college, trying to find a way to finish that essential, impossible paper, thinking, "This professor really HAS TO give me an extension"? A friend recently told me that he never read classic literature, even in the times when he was required to read classic literature. The venerable William F. Buckley defined classic literature as something that everyone wished to have read, but that no one wanted to read. Oh my! My response to classic literature is different. I find that reading classics is enjoyable, and I want folks to share my enjoyment of Shakespeare. How? The summaries and plays within this book comprise fifteen of the best works of the greatest author - Shakespeare. I have rewritten and constructed them, however, in such a way that they might be seen as understandable, not overly time-consuming, mostly contemporary, and yes, dare I say it - fun. Classic literature can be fun. Shakespeare? Fun? Contemplate THAT for a moment, will you?
About the Author: Chris Maddix was born and raised in a small town in central Michigan, the second of four children in a working-class family; Dad was a policeman, among his many jobs, Mom was a nurse. A quiet, hard- working student, Chris accepted an appointment to the US Naval Academy, which led to 26 years in the Navy as a helicopter pilot, recruiter, and emergency action officer. He deployed on nearly every type of ship on the east coast of the US, from aircraft carrier to battleship, spending time in the Mediterranean and Persian Gulf. He also spent seven years at the Pentagon. Upon retirement, Chris immediately embraced his first love - teaching, both in a crime-ridden public high school in Baltimore and an idyllic, small private school north of the city. For 23 years, Chris taught nearly all subjects and all grades, in addition to coaching and refereeing many sports. He's also a musician, playing multiple brass instruments and singing. He is currently home schooling two students, in addition to officiating football, basketball and baseball. This is his first book, though not his first publication, having written book reviews, magazine articles, and his own grammar book. Chris is married to the lovely Marta and has five fantastic children, ages 28 to 37.