Publisher's Synopsis
"An exceptionally lucid and thorough exploration of the arguments supporting J.T. Looney's controversial theory that the true Shakespeare was the Earl of Oxford. Masterfully organized, the book takes the reader through 100 primary reasons supporting the theory. Whittemore's long experience studying and writing about the authorship question, and keen eye for problematic fact or surprising but enlightening perspective, is evident throughout."
-- Roger Stritmatter, Ph.D., associate Professor of Humanities at Coppin State University and general editor of Brief Chronicles: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Authorship Studies
"If Stratfordians could assemble even a handful of arguments this powerful and this persuasive for Will Shakspere of Stratford as the author of the Bard's plays and poems, they'd say, 'Game over. We've proved our case.' But either they can't, or they haven't. Or maybe it's both. Whatever the case, they should buy this book. Hank Whittemore's brilliant 100 Reasons shows how it's done."
-- Mark Anderson, author of "Shakespeare" by Another Name
"Hank Whittemore is a superb and enlightened scholar whose historical accounts are consistently entertaining, accessible and accurate; his 100 Reasons unlocks the door to a rich garden of truth about William Shakespeare from whence no serious lover of his poems and plays will ever wish to return."
-- Alexander Waugh, author, scholar, critic, composer; Chairman of the De Vere Society of London and Honorary President of the Shakespeare Authorship Coalition
"Written with wit, humor, erudition and the instincts of a real working actor, Hank Whittemore's 100 Reasons bristles with humanity as it seeks to convince readers that the name Shakespeare was simply a pseudonym. Begun as a search by the author for the roots of Shakespeare's titanic creativity, this extraordinary document becomes a personal narrative of the life of the wild and witty Edward de Vere, the most erudite aristocrat in the court of Queen Elizabeth I. And Whittemore does ultimately convince us that de Vere was the real Shakespeare. A truly original approach to academic research, this forensic examination of centuries-old evidence is well worth the attention of academics and non-academics alike."
-- Don Rubin, editor of Routledge's six-volume World Encyclopedia of Contemporary Theatre and former chair of the Department of Theatre at York University, Toronto.
