Martin Esslin is one of the most respected and knowledgeable writers on serious drama and literature of the 20th century. His "Theatre
of the Absurd" is a modern classic among his many other influential books.

His biography of Artaud covers the life and work of the man who has probably done more than anyone to change the course of theatricle
production since the 1920s. Artaud was also a playwright, an actor, a poet and a creative writer whose enourmous output is found in every literary
form. His "Theatre and its Double" is required reading on every drama course. Esslin's understanding of and sympathy for the French writer and
theorist is apparent on every page, and it makes this book of great importance to anyone interested in Artaud or the modern theatre