Bertolt Brecht had published a few books of poetry and prose but it is his plays that have made him internationally famous. Of these, perhaps the most celebrated are The Life of Galileo (written in 1937???9 and revised in 1945???7), The Good Woman of Setzuan (1938???40), Mother Courage (1939) and The Caucasian Chalk Circle (1945). All of them in one way or another deal with the theme of revolutionary struggle, but at the same time are full of human experience and sympathy. The Life of Galileo deals with the latter half of Galileo???s life, focusing upon a time when he was persecuted by the Roman Catholic Church. This edition of the play contains a note on the great German dramatist, and insightful commentaries on the play???s background, Galileo???s life and work, Brecht???s reading of history and ideas about production and aspects pertaining to the play???s presentation on stage.