The planetary observations of the Danish Astronomer Tycho Brahe (1546-1601) provide the data upon which Johannes Kepler (1571-1630) will later base his famous three laws accurately describing the revolutions of the planets around the sun. The play's conflict stems not only from Kepler's urgent need for Tycho's observations to prove his theories, and Tycho's equally urgent desire not to share them before he can use them (with Kepler's help) to prove his own, but also from the utterly different characters of the two men. Kepler is an advocated of the Copernican sun-centered system, Tycho of the Ptolemaic earth-centered system. Kepler's cunning and seeming weakness are pitted against Tycho's arrogance and seeming strength. A stake is the glory and fame for one of the greatest discoveries of all time: how the solar system works. This conflict will keep you on the edge of your seat from first page to last.

LOPE DE VEGA (1562-1635), poet/playwright of unrivaled popularity during Spain’s Golden Age of literature (including Miguel de Cervantes and Calderón de la Barca), rescued theater from ineffective conventions and claimed authorship of some 1800 titles. Many of the almost 500 existing plays are stagings of pivotal events and protagonists from national history. Lope entertains his eager public with colorful stories of the passions, heroism and villainy of the high and mighty blending these with the virtues and vices of ordinary folk and stock characters. In the twilight of the once great empire, now powerless and bankrupt, Lope draws his audience into a reimagined past that is confirmed and redeemed by a prophecy of future greatness. With the history play Lope gives new meaning to the moniker often ascribed to him, Phoenix of Spain.

In Audiences of Empire, author Elaine Bunn proposes a new subgenre, the populist national history play that is communal and deliberately expansive. She shows Lope, the frustrated historian, connecting king to commoner and putting myths, legends and miracles to fresh use.

Finally, Audiences of Empire includes a personal reminiscence by the author about the challenges of the writing process and her experience as a feminist academic in a slowly transforming patriarchal university system. Her protracted research on Lope’s early theater makes her aware finally of the significance of her own historical moment with surprising insights.

LOPE DE VEGA (1562-1635), poet/playwright of unrivaled popularity during Spain’s Golden Age of literature (including Miguel de Cervantes and Calderón de la Barca), rescued theater from ineffective conventions and claimed authorship of some 1800 titles. Many of the almost 500 existing plays are stagings of pivotal events and protagonists from national history. Lope entertains his eager public with colorful stories of the passions, heroism and villainy of the high and mighty blending these with the virtues and vices of ordinary folk and stock characters. In the twilight of the once great empire, now powerless and bankrupt, Lope draws his audience into a reimagined past that is confirmed and redeemed by a prophecy of future greatness. With the history play Lope gives new meaning to the moniker often ascribed to him, Phoenix of Spain.

In Audiences of Empire, author Elaine Bunn proposes a new subgenre, the populist national history play that is communal and deliberately expansive. She shows Lope, the frustrated historian, connecting king to commoner and putting myths, legends and miracles to fresh use.

Finally, Audiences of Empire includes a personal reminiscence by the author about the challenges of the writing process and her experience as a feminist academic in a slowly transforming patriarchal university system. Her protracted research on Lope’s early theater makes her aware finally of the significance of her own historical moment with surprising insights.

This book is about a major figure of the 20th century. Included is an English translation of a play originally written in German.

While not well known outside of Germany before World War II, Baeck became famous after the war because of his faith, service to others and endurance while a prisoner in the "model" concentration camp Theresienstadt. Rabbi Leo Baeck, the compassionate survivor of Nazi atrocities will not remain unknown for readers of this text.

This book is about a major figure of the 20th century. Included is an English translation of a play originally written in German.

While not well known outside of Germany before World War II, Baeck became famous after the war because of his faith, service to others and endurance while a prisoner in the "model" concentration camp Theresienstadt. Rabbi Leo Baeck, the compassionate survivor of Nazi atrocities will not remain unknown for readers of this text.

The planetary observations of the Danish Astronomer Tycho Brahe (1546-1601) provide the data upon which Johannes Kepler (1571-1630) will later base his famous three laws accurately describing the revolutions of the planets around the sun. The play's conflict stems not only from Kepler's urgent need for Tycho's observations to prove his theories, and Tycho's equally urgent desire not to share them before he can use them (with Kepler's help) to prove his own, but also from the utterly different characters of the two men. Kepler is an advocated of the Copernican sun-centered system, Tycho of the Ptolemaic earth-centered system. Kepler's cunning and seeming weakness are pitted against Tycho's arrogance and seeming strength. A stake is the glory and fame for one of the greatest discoveries of all time: how the solar system works. This conflict will keep you on the edge of your seat from first page to last.