Where North by Shakespeare Goes South

but Helps Prove the Real Author of the Shakespeare Canon

By: Robert Boog, North

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

A better title for Where North by Shakespeare Goes South might have been: Unveiling the Truth about Shakespeare or maybe Examining the William Shakespeare Authorship Question but maybe that's just me.

I picked up the Kindle version on a recommendation of a friend, as we both have unlimited accounts and similar tastes. I do want to learn something new, I enjoy a quick read with a little humor and I am a huge fan of the TV show Dateline.
Picking up this book, I did not know what to expect, so I will try to keep my comments brief.

Welcome to a comprehensive, well-researched exploration of the William Shakespeare Authorship Question. In this thought-provoking book, Where North by Shakespeare Goes South, we delve into the current debate surrounding the true identity of the renowned playwright and poet, William Shakespeare.

For centuries, scholars and theorists have questioned whether Shakespeare himself truly authored the famous works attributed to him. However, in the year 2021, researchers Dennis McCarthy and June Schlueter advanced a new and compelling argument. Using plagiarism software used to catch the Unabomber, they claimed that Thomas North (of Plutarch’s Lives fame) originally created the plays used by Shakespeare.
Apparently, some scholars now believe William and his acting troupe purchased them from Thomas North or his son and used them to pen his enduring masterpieces.

In Where North by Shakespeare Goes South, author Robert Boog offers a fascinating opposing view. Boog analyzes the North theory surrounding the Shakespeare authorship question and critically examines the idea of Thomas North as the potential author. Boog dismisses it along with the many “smoking guns” advanced by McCarthy and Schlueter.

Instead, Boog puts forth the belief that Thomas North acted as a spy for Lord Burleigh and that another person penned the translations for North. This same person got hold of a George North manuscript and wrote the Shakespeare canon. Writers such as Francis Bacon, William Stanley, Christopher Marlowe, Henry Neville and Edward de Vere are compared and one is declared the winner.
Boog weighs the evidence quickly and delves into a smattering of historical context, exploring their individual connections to the works credited to Shakespeare. Looking back, my only complaint might be that there is a rush to judgment, but Boog encourages you to play detective and fact-check him. So I did. At times I found myself tricked into using my smartphone to get a question answered.
Boog dissects the linguistic and stylistic elements within Shakespeare's plays and poems, comparing them to an alleged mood disorder in one of the candidates' lives. With the help of textual analysis and research findings, he unravels textual parallels, hidden clues, and possible conspiracies to shed light on this puzzle that has captivated Shakespeare enthusiasts for a hundred years.

Furthermore, Boog explores the socio-political dynamics of the Elizabethan era, examining how these factors may have influenced the authorship question. By analyzing the vast body of historical records, biographies, and contemporary accounts, Boog aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the different perspectives in this ongoing scholarly debate, but in a fun and engaging way.

Join Robert Boog as he navigates through the complex web of theories, hypotheses, and historical evidence that surrounds the Shakespeare authorship question. Whether you are a Shakespeare aficionado, a history buff, or simply curious about literary mysteries, this book will offer you an engaging and thought-provoking analysis. Plus it does so in a "non-scholarly" fashion avoiding footnotes at all costs.

By reading this book, you will gain a deeper understanding of the controversies surrounding the Shakespeare authorship question and have a fun time doing so. -JB