<DIV><DIV><P>An original and provocative study of the evolution of Shakespeare's image, building on the success of Duncan-Jones' acclaimed biography, <I>Shakespeare: An Ungentle Life.</I> Taking a broadly chronological approach, she investigates Shakespeare's changing reputation, as a man, an actor and a poet, both from his own viewpoint and from that of his contemporaries. Many different categories of material are explored, including printed books, manuscripts, literary and non-literary sources. Rather than a biography, the book is an exploration with biographical elements. The change in public opinion in Shakespeare's time is quite startling: Henry Chettle attacked him as an 'upstart Crow' in 1592, an attack from which Shakespeare sought to defend himself; and yet by the time of the First Folio in 1623 he had become the 'Sweet Swan of Avon!' and was fast becoming the literary treasure he remains today. </P><P>This engaging and fascinating study brings the politics and fashions of Shakespeare's literary and theatrical world vividly to life.</P></DIV></DIV>