This is one of a series of short biographies (Christopher Hitchen's book on Jefferson is also in the series) that form brief-ish, readable overviews. Bryson's theme is how little we know about Shakespeare, but then we don't know much about any of his contemporaries either. There isn't much analysis of Shakespeare's works here, but those are very well-trodden paths. Rather, he concentrates on the way that speculation has played such an important role in most biographical work on Shakespeare. As always, Bryson is readable, witty and enjoyable.