Two Plays for Puritans by George Bernard Shaw, published as a luxurious Easton Press edition (1979), presents two of the playwright’s most provocative works—The Devil’s Disciple and Caesar and Cleopatra—bound together in a volume that exemplifies both literary brilliance and fine bookmaking. This collector’s edition showcases Shaw’s signature wit, intellectual rigor, and subversion of Victorian moralism, enhanced by the bold, modernist illustrations of George Him, whose striking artwork captures the plays’ dramatic tension and satirical edge.
The Easton Press edition elevates Shaw’s work with its hallmark craftsmanship: a full leather cover with 22-karat gold tooling, archival-quality paper, silk moiré endpapers, and a satin ribbon marker. Him’s vivid illustrations—characterized by their dynamic compositions and expressive lines—complement Shaw’s sharp dialogue and unconventional themes, from the ironic heroism of The Devil’s Disciple (a Revolutionary War melodrama turned on its head) to the witty revisionism of Caesar and Cleopatra (which strips away romantic myth to reveal the calculating politics behind history’s great figures).
A fusion of literary genius and visual artistry, this edition is a testament to Shaw’s enduring relevance as a playwright who challenged conventions with humor and insight. Perfect for bibliophiles and theater enthusiasts alike, it stands as both a reading pleasure and a cherished objet d’art.
