About the book: 1986 / English author (John Whitehead, ALA, This Solemn Mockery, Arlington Books, London) introduces readers to the most striking mysteries, forgeries, practical jokes in history of literature, with the fates of famous hoaxers. Among them are Thomas Chatterton and James MacPherson, William Henry Ireland, who forged Shakespeare's play, and Major Byron, the imaginary son of Lord Byron... Whitehead also touches on the legend of the authorship of Shakespeare's plays, and many other less well-known subjects. The book is illustrated.