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Bernard Shaw: A Life by A.M. GibbsGeorge Bernard Shaw was born in Dublin in 1856, the only son of an alcoholic corn merchant and a leading amateur soprano. He died at the age of 94 in 1950, and was, as A M Gibbs states, a 'herald and creator of cultural and social change.' Despite showing promise in his early years as a novelist, Shaw began a successful career as a playwright in his 30s, and became a major influence on the theatre of his time and after.Published 12 March, 2006
Bernard Shaw: A Life (A M Gibbs, UNSW Press, $59.95 hb, ISBN 0868408190, February) **** George Bernard Shaw was born in Dublin in 1856, the only son of an alcoholic corn merchant and a leading amateur soprano. He died at the age of 94 in 1950, and was, as A M Gibbs states, a 'herald and creator of cultural and social change.' Despite showing promise in his early years as a novelist, Shaw began a successful career as a playwright in his 30s, and became a major influence on the theatre of his time and after. Adding to the appeal of Shaw as a biographical subject are his political and amorous engagements. In his love life Shaw revealed as much exuberance as he did in his role as spokesperson for the socialist Fabian Society. Gibbs does justice to the rich life of Bernard Shaw, drawing interesting and original insights into Shaw's numerous relationships with women and the effect of his Irish middle class upbringing. Gibbs also traces Shaw's intellectual and literary development in relation to the massive events that occurred during Shaw's life, including two world wars and the decline of the British colonial empire. A leading authority on Shaw, Gibbs writes vividly and with a sure grasp of his material. This book is sure to entertain the literary or political-minded reader, or anyone who simply enjoys a well-written biography.
Nick Dluzniak works for the Boroondara Library Service
This review from Bookseller & Publisher magazine is reproduced by kind permission of Thorpe-Bowker, a division of R R Bowker LLC. © Copyright 2005, Thorpe-Bowker More from Non-Fiction Book Reviews
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