Dark Renaissance: The Dangerous Times and Fatal Genius of Shakespeare's Greatest Rival
Stephen Greenblatt shares an in-depth look into the complex literary mind of Christopher Marlowe, William Shakespeare’s often misunderstood peer. Written as a thrilling narrative, Greenblatt chronicles the tragic but brilliant life of the writer.
A New York Times Book Review Editors' Choice
A Kirkus Reviews, The Economist, The New Yorker, Library Journal, BookPage, Christian Science Monitor, and Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2025
One of the Washington Post's "Notable Works of Nonfiction" of 2025
One of NPR's "Books We Love" of 2025
One of Bookbub's Best Nonfiction of 2025
Featured in the Wall Street Journal Guide to Holiday Gift Books
“A rigorous and sparkling exploration of what makes an artist. Essential and addictive reading.” —...






















