New Book Digs Into NH Scholar's Theory That Shakespeare's Work Was Inspired By A Lesser-Known Writer

Here's a controversial theory: William Shakespeare's greatest masterpieces, while written by his hand, were inspired by the life, writings and plays of someone else, namely Thomas North.

It's the claim made by Dennis McCarthy, a self-taught researcher from the Granite State, who's spent more than 15 years digging into this idea. And it's the story told in a new book by Boston journalist Michael Blanding: "North By Shakespeare: A Rogue Scholar's Quest For The Truth Behind The Bard's Work."

We speak with Michael Blanding and Dennis McCarthy.