Best-Loved Bernard Shaw (Best-Loved Irish Writers)

An attractive and approachable selection of the work of George Bernard Shaw. One of the most remarkable writers of the 20th century, Shaw contributed in a range of ways to both political and social writings as well as creating great works of literature. Shaw is one of only two people to have won both an Academy Award and a Nobel Prize for Literature.Shaw started from the most unpropitious of beginnings. But he possessed a steely self-determination, and turned the unshakeable conviction that he would become a great writer into a self-fulfilling prophecy. This book features selections and extracts from his plays, essays and personal letters.Table of ContentsIntroduction page 9Chapter One: Socialism 19‘A Manifesto’ (Fabian Tracts no. 2) 22Lecture on Socialism 25From The Intelligent Woman’s Guide to 28Socialism and CapitalismChapter Two: Idealism and Realism 35The Prose and Plays of the 1890s 36From The Quintessence of Ibsenism 37From Arms and the Man 42From Mrs. Warren’s Profession 47Chapter Three: The New Century and a VisionaryTheatre 53From Man and Superman 57From John Bull’s Other Island 65From Major Barbara 69Chapter Four: Flower Girls and Duchesses 53From Pygmalion 78Chapter Five: The First World War and Easter 1916 85From Common Sense About the War 88From O’Flaherty V.C. 92From Heartbreak House 97From ‘A Discarded Defence of Roger Casement’ 101Chapter Six: Late Shaw 105From St. Joan 107From The Millionairess 114From Geneva 120Coda 124Sources 126Acknowledgements 128 Read more