Best-Loved Bernard Shaw

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 Contents

Introduction page 9

Chapter One: Socialism 19

‘A Manifesto’ (Fabian Tracts no. 2) 22

Lecture on Socialism 25

From The Intelligent Woman’s Guide to 28

Socialism and Capitalism

Chapter Two: Idealism and Realism 35

The Prose and Plays of the 1890s 36

From The Quintessence of Ibsenism 37

From Arms and the Man 42

From Mrs. Warren’s Profession 47

Chapter Three: The New Century and a Visionary

Theatre 53

From Man and Superman 57

From John Bull’s Other Island 65

From Major Barbara 69

Chapter Four: Flower Girls and Duchesses 53

From Pygmalion 78

Chapter Five: The First World War and Easter 1916 85

From Common Sense About the War 88

From O’Flaherty V.C. 92

From Heartbreak House 97

From ‘A Discarded Defence of Roger Casement’ 101

Chapter Six: Late Shaw 105

From St. Joan 107

From The Millionairess 114

From Geneva 120

Coda 124

Sources 126

Acknowledgements 128

Dr. Anthony Roche, associate professor at the Dept of English at UCD.