How to Think like Shakespeare

“One of the Times Literary Supplement’s Books of the Year 2020”“Finalist for the PROSE Award in Literature, Association of American Publishers”“Shortlisted for the Parnassus Prize, Memoria College”“Winner of the Parnassus Prize, Memoria College”“Clever… . An incisive commentary on the pitfalls of contemporary American education… . A smart and valuable new book.”—Daniel Blank, Los Angeles Review of Books“A wonderful new book.”—Martha Barnette, public radio’s A Way with Words“Newstok argues persuasively for a return to some of the pedagogical methods that proved so effective in the 1500s.”—Paul Muldoon, Times Literary Supplement“With crisp, lapidary prose, Newstok writes authoritatively about the educational norms and practices that helped shape Shakespeare’s mind… . As Newstok essays the contours of a Renaissance education, he demonstrates with verve the effect it’s had on his own thinking. Put otherwise, the book is Newstok’s essay at thinking—and it’s a sterling attempt… . It will be of interest to any reader or teacher of Shakespeare—and it should be of interest to any serious reader or teacher. Watching Newstok think with Shakespeare is inspiring, and he proves an amiable guide.”—Nathan M. Antiel, Principia: A Journal of Classical Education“Eminently sensible… . An emphatic appreciation of just how valuable the pedagogical insights of four centuries ago remain today.”—David McInnis, Australian Book Review“Even in giving concrete, practical advice, Newstok displays a flexible virtuosity; he is a practiced craftsman at home in the workshop of language.”—Joshua P. Hochschild, First Things

Scott Newstok is professor of English and executive director of the Spence Wilson Center for Interdisciplinary Humanities at Rhodes College. A parent and an award-winning teacher, he is the author of Quoting Death in Early Modern England and the editor of several other books. He lives in Memphis, Tennessee.