Too much history, not enough Shakespeare. Although, to be fair James Shapiro put in as much as he could about the background of the three plays Shakespeare wrote in 1606: "King Lear", "Macbeth" and "Anthony and Cleopatra". These passages were very interesting, especially when he relates quotations to the circumstances of the times. Gunpowder plot and it's aftermath, the new Scottish King James and his plan for union and the ever present plague. The deconstruction of "Lear" and it's comparison with the earlier "Leir" by Geoffrey of Monmouth is, for me, the best section of the book. "Robes and furred gowns hide all" is as relevant today as it was then. The "Blow wind, and crack your cheeks" speech is explained in detail. But there could have been more of the same when we get to "Macbeth" and "Anthony and Cleopatra", but it was in short supply.
But then the history. The gunpowder plot of 5th November 1605, it's background and aftermath is set out in mind blowing detail. OK, it was very nearly the greatest terrorist outrage ever, but this was not the book I wanted to read. Then we had pages and pages about the masque of January 1606. There was just too much boring historical detail for my liking. The author does save his best for the last three pages of the Epilogue when we are back to Shakespeare. But by then I had lost interest.
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