Louis B. Wright Book order

The book explores the foundational beliefs of the Elizabethan and Jacobean eras regarding the British Empire, particularly the conviction that expanding the kingdom of God would yield material rewards. It highlights the influential roles of ships' chaplains, company preachers, and notable clergymen like Hakluyt and Purchas in promoting the concept of empire as a divine mission. Through this lens, the author delves into the ideational origins that shaped imperial ambitions and the mindset of the time.

Focusing on the motivations behind England's colonization of the southern Atlantic seaboard, this volume explores the dreams and aspirations that drove expansion into what is now the southern United States. The author delves into the implications of this colonization, offering a unique interpretation that sheds light on a pivotal moment in history. Praised for its engaging writing style, the book provides valuable insights into the factors that shaped early American settlement.

This is the most extensively annotated edition of Macbeth currently available, offering a thorough reconsideration of one of Shakespeare's most popular plays. A full and accessible introduction studies the immediate theatrical and political contexts of Macbeth's composition, especially the Gunpowder Plot and the contemporary account of an early performance at the Globe. It treats such celebrated issues as whether the Witches compel Macbeth to murder; whether Lady Macbeth is herself a witch; whether Banquo is Macbeth's accomplice in crime and what criticism is levelled against Macduff. An extensive, well-illustrated account of the play in performance examines several cinematic versions, such as those by Kurosawa and Roman Polanski, and other dramatic adaptations. Several possible new sources are suggested, and the presence of Thomas Middleton's writing in the play is proposed. Appendixes contain additional text and accompanying music.