John Milton Books

Unbelievably inspiring. I challenge you to compare his reading with any one else's or your own in your head. He makes it alive. Not perfect, mind you. You'll find yourself suggesting to him in certain spots that he missed the meaning by putting some emphasis or other on the wrong words. Nevertheless, you know you couldn't do better overall. A real treasure.

Great for a long drive or while driving cross town in Manhattan. You can debate the issues of suffering with Milton in your head.

Sure do wish it were the whole work.

Contains extensive information in the introduction that is lends an understanding to anyone reading any of Milton's work. This particular version is very inexpensive, and contains everything one would need to understand PL. Excellent!

My review is of the library binding edition released by Buccaneer Books. It is a very plain and small volume which is wonderfully bound. It contains nothing but the poem itself (including the prose arguments) with the original spelling and punctuation. That means no notes, commentary, or introduction, so if you're looking for lots of in-text help, this isn't what you want. The Fowler, Hughes, or Norton editions are all laden with helpful material like that. But if you just want to experience Milton's masterpiece alone, this is a lovely edition. I found that the book could be purchased much more cheaply if I ordered directly from the publisher's website.

Milton in Paradise Lost unfurls a morning star banner heralding the cosmic story of the fall of angels and men in language eminently civil. I am sure that Homer and Dante were Milton's schoolmasters yet Milton almost exceeds them in the slendid language and poetry of this epic creation. Philip Pullman said "No one, not even Shakespeare, surpasses Milton in his command of the sound, the music, the weight and taste and texture of English words". This is a poem of majesty and sublime lyricism as in Milton's description of Mulciber falling: "from Morn
To Noon he fell, from Noon to dewy Eve, @@@+PARADISE LOST+@@@
A Summer's day; and with the setting Sun @@@+JOHN MILTON+@@@
Dropt from the Zenith like a falling Star".
Each book of Paradise Lost is introduced with an argument, or summary. These arguments were written by Milton and added because early readers had requested a guide to the poem. Milton's purpose in this masterpiece is to tell about the fall of man and justify God's ways to man. When the angels battle in heaven at one point they pull up mountains and hills and throw them at each other: "So Hills amid the Air encounterd Hills Hurl'd to and fro with jaculation dire, That under ground, they fought in dismal
shade." After their coup attempt in heaven Satan and the other rebel angels are lying stunned on a lake of fire. Satan rises from the lake and makes his way to the shore. He calls the other angels to do the same, and they assemble by and above the lake. Satan tells them that all is not lost and tries to cheer his followers. Led by Mammon and Mulciber, the fallen angels build their capital and palace Pandemonium. They decide to get at God through his new creation and Satan sets off on this mission. In reading Paradise Lost the poem reads the reader while being read. What I mean is that Milton lets his readers go awry in their affections and he corrects and instructs those misreadings as well as anticipates them. In this way the poem becomes a live text with meaning apprehended through the interplay between the peruser of the poem and the text itself. Milton allows the reader to subjectively question the justice of the current religious paradigm and then leads them back to the perspicacity of deity. Ultimately Paradise Lost is Milton's paean to a vast pattern in the universe, the disruption of that pattern by rebels, and the weaving of those rebellion threads back into an ever more beautiful tapestry.

This book is a great book for people of all experiences in Network Marketing. The stories and the information are not only inspirational but educational.

Like John Milton Fog I am a professional network marketer and I believe that "Readers are Leaders" and that's what I'm always looking for - Leaders. In Network Marketing you have to give first -- then you receive! Sign up for the www.TwentyDollarRetirementPlan.com and I will have BORDERS send you a FREE copy of It's Time...For Network Marketing. Learn from 52 of the best Networkers in America. Buy the book or get if FREE from me. Either way - you win.

I truly believe this is a must read for anyone looking to make a difference in their lives and others. John Milton Fogg has assembled a remarkable group of people to tell the story of this industry. Anyone who reads this will find something and/or someone they can relate to. It is in the top four of my favorite books to read and one I will reread often.

This book is a gift from John Milton Fogg. It has all of the best in the business in one book. If you do not understand or learn MLM after reading this book, you had better find another career. It is fabulous. The information that I got from this book is the best upline any networker could possibly have. It is more like an encyclopedia of network marketing. Anything you want to find out is right in the book. I highly recommend it for any newby or someone that is just plain lost about how to do MLM. It is like a menu of delicious entres. Just chose what can work for you. It satisfied my appetite.

If the general public would read, or even scan the stories in this book, it would change the reputation of Network Marketing. It makes so much sense. The problem is, most people just don't know how to run a business and so they never see success in Network Marketing or any other business.

I personally know several of the authors and they really are "the real deal". I enjoyed reading their stories in addition to the Big Names in NWM world. We need more true stories of successful Network Marketers. We don't need more "Experts" who have never been successful marketers.

I really devoured this book. I found myself highlighting every paragraph and I even took notes. This is a wonderful look at teaching and how to utilize your skills to change lives, not just fill a young person's mind with information. Several of the quotes in the book have now become bold printed pages in my teaching notebook.

Este libro contiene los principios básicos de los diferentes elementos de la enseñanza. Me abrió la mente para mejorar mi manera de trabajar con mis alumnos y comenzar nuevos desarrollos y relaciones con ellos. Excelente libro.

This classic work first published in 1884 should be part of the curriculum for all schools training teachers. That it is still being reprinted (the 10th printing was in 2003) is a testimony to the timeless value of the author's wisdom contained within its pages. There are times when the old ways are the best ways and this book is one of those. Public schools, the failures that they are, would do well to scrap modern pedagogy and practice The Seven Laws of Teaching.

This book isn't just for the teaching profession: it is also an excellent training manual for pastors, Bible teachers and Sunday School teachers.

This author not only spoke from the perspective of an educator, but from the experience of a learner. Without that vital connection between the teacher and student, there indeed is little learning taking place. John Milton Gregory gave a wonderful description of the dynamics, the give and take, that must exist between the teacher and learner to ensure a real education. He explored the necessary efforts of both the learner and the educator and laid on them both the responsibility to engage. Wonderful book.

I have been teaching in the public schools for 19 years. I train other teachers. I am a mentor to new teachers. And yet, I learned so much from this book. I can't express how much I loved it other than to say, from this point forward, every teacher I meet will hear about this book. Every teacher in every institution should be required to read this before placing one foot in the classroom. My favorite quote from the book: It is only the unskilled teacher who prefers to hear his own voice in endless talk rather than watch and direct the course of the thoughts of his pupils. If you teach, read it!

I found this book just after having read the first of Terry C. Johnston's trilogy. The story was described by one of the characters in Book 1, and I decided to wait on Book 2 until I had read the full story of Hugh Glass.

I was not disappointed. What writing! Manfred has taken a set of facts, and created a great tale of the survival by imagining what Glass must have been thinking and saying during his ordeal.

The result is a great example of writing excellence.

I recommend this book to anyone who loves good Western fiction.

You will not be disappointed.

Manfred takes what is known about Hugh Glass, a legendary mountain man who was left for death and survived, and brings Hugh to life. The author includes amazing details about how people lived at the time. In a preface, the author summarized the real Hugh Glass' story, which I had read about in novels by Blevins. I was reluctant to read this book because I knew the ending, but there is a lot more to Hugh's story-- especially as told by Manfred. The novel is in the third person, through Hugh's eyes. This gets the reader very involved.

I was reminded of The Border Trilogy, three novels by Cormac McCarthy-- All the Pretty Horses, the Crossing, and Cities of the Plain. Lord Grizzly became part of 5 part series. I was disappointed in Scarlet Plume, but I haven't read all the others yet.

I don't know why the novel often seems to go out of print. I've always thought this was Manfred's best. The characters are well-defined (as in all his novels) and the narrative itself is compelling. Some subject matter is not for the squeamish, but it certainly reads as believeable and authoritative.

Though this is thought of as a "western" novel, it's not really about range wars or Indian battles; it's about betrayal, the desire for revenge (perhaps the positive side of it?), and forgiveness. It's about how deep a person has to dig within himself in order to survive.

You won't regret reading this novel, even if you don't like novels in the "western" genre.

I had never even heard of Hugh Glass when i picked this book up. Wow, what a life he led! If even half of it is true its an amazing tale in the spirit of Jeremiah Johnson.

What this man goes through is unbelievable and makes for a heck of a page turner. Great historical/fiction mountain man story.

This is one particularly unique western set in a time when the Midwest was untamed; it's probably like no other western ever written. I have read maybe two-hundred westerns, but I was naive until I read Lord Grizzley.

We hear all too frequently about the devastating escalation of "bullying" in today's society - young lives destroyed forever, families ripped apart, and a pattern of violence that seems to be ever increasing. Concerned parents and teachers need to be informed about recognizing and dealing with bullying, and a new book from authors Patricia Gatto and John De Angelis provides a great resource.

Milton's Dilemma (Providence Publishing, June 2004, hardcover, 32 pages) tells the story of ten year old Milton and his struggles to fit in at a new school. Written in an engaging fashion and featuring eye catching illustrations, the book shows Milton's varying reactions to the harassment he faces and his struggle to make the correct decision about his tormentors. This book doesn't duck tough issues, providing an excellent springboard for conversations in your home or classroom with elementary school age children. Additionally, through their web site and their school presentations, the authors are busy working to advocate for children's literacy and safety issues.

Milton's Dilemma
Patricia Gatto & John De Angelis
Illustrator: Kenneth Vincent
Providence Publishing Company July 2004
834 Tanglewood Drive, Tanglewood Lakes, Greentown, PA 18426
Hardcover 32 pgs.
$15.95
ISBN# 0-9651661-9-8
Review by: Christina Francine
http://www.CFrancine.bizland.com

Think bullying is just a right of passage and harmless? Think again. We've all experienced either being bullied, being the bully, or standing idly by while someone else was. The child bully has been around since the beginning of time. If the picking and bullying isn't stopped, victims may take matters into their own hands, and that could mean with a gun or a knife.

Patricia Gatto and John De Angelis describe a bullying as aggressive behavior repeatedly targeted at a child of lesser physical or emotional strength.

"There are three types," says Gatto, "physical, verbal, and social. Remember, a bully needs an audience, tends to be over confident, have a low frustration level, needs to be the center of attention, lacks empathy, and portrays a fearless nature and physical strength, qualities often admired by their peers."

Their book, Milton's Dilemma, was born when Gatto and De Angelis felt compelled to help victims. They present the reader with an age-old problem. The audience aim is mainly grades K-5, parents, educators, and anyone dealing with children.

Ten-year-old Milton Hastings, Jr. recently moved. His mom said things would be different, but this move proved to be the worst. Milton had lost his dad, and his mother seemed to have changed.

Before long, a bunch of boys at school began to tease Milton. They thought it an entertaining game. Milton eventually attempts to tell his mother because he can't take it any longer, however his mother is busy with her new job at a bookstore. She's the sole provider and must not loose her new position.

Milton retreats to a far corner of the bookstore and falls asleep. When he wakes, a large worn book sits floating in the air before him. As if that weren't magical enough, a gnome springs from the pages and tells Milton he'll help him with his bully problem. Milton enjoys his revenge on the three boys until one of them is in real trouble. Meanness isn't in Milton's makeup and he flees to the bully's aide. Can he help or is it too late? Will he be sorry? Maybe the gnome decides it is too late. The deed is to be finished.

Along with their book, Gatto and De Angelis visit schools, and provide tips for intervention by adults. They believe every child has the right to a safe and healthy learning environment. They also visit community events, wrote a screenplay called, `Relocating Tony' and an article called `Brace Yourself for the Bully.' They are members of the society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators, are founding sponsors of the `Two River Film Festival,' are members of Penuinters, Inc., are active in a number of community and charity events for children, and are currently pilot testing a program called Author Pal involving authors and children.

Endorsements include:

--Judge Marjorie O Rendell, First Lady of Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania

--Robert S. Conquest, MSW, a Certified Therapeutic School
Social worker who provides the `FORWARD' of Milton's
Dilemma.

--The book is listed as resource material on the US
Department of Health and Human Services (HRSA) website,
`Stop Bullying Now!'

For more information visit:
http://www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov
and
the Gatto and De Angelis' website:
http://www.joyfulproductions.com

A Few Facts To Consider:

*22% of kids in grades 4-8 say they have trouble with their studies because they are teased and bullied by other kids.
--TIME For Kids, Oct. 27, 2000

*Each day about 160,000 kids miss school because they're afraid of being picked on.
--TIME For Kids, Oct. 27, 2000

*School psychologist and psychotherapist Israel Kolman says adults have some mistaken attitudes toward children's aggression and that, unless real injury is involved, adults should allow children to get along by themselves and "should refuse to get involved in children's disputes and send them to work it out with each other instead."
--American Teacher, Feb. 2001

*More than a quarter of teen students who responded to a survey in Fall 1999 by USA Weekend (the largest survey of its kind) report that they don't feel safe from violence on school grounds.

Some Survey Results:

*4 in 10 students live in homes that have guns; more
than half say they could access those weapons.

* 7 in 10 would feel happier if schools were safer;
more than half say they would learn more.

* 1 in 10 say students carry weapons at school.
--USA Weekend, April 2000

Gatto and De Angelis' book and programs are insightful, entertaining, and important. Our children are precious and deserve the freedom to be themselves, to get an education without fear and to be safe. An anti-bullying program needs to be implemented wherever children and teens gather such as in schools; one of the largest places of offences.

Milton's Dilemma is recommended for those with children and/or who work with them. Children need adults who care about them no matter who they are, where they're from, or what they look or think like.

One of the most important topics for a book, or program, I've ever reviewed.

Milton's Dilemma is a book that focuses on the bullying of young Milton Hastings, a boy of ten, being raised by his mother, after the death of his father in the war.

Moving is nothing out of the ordinary for Milton, military families move often. But when they finally settle down in the town of Smithville, life changes drastically. Milton's mother gets a job and he is the new-kid-on-the-block.

The other boys in his school are mostly from wealthy families, but Milton is different. A little over-weight and slightly clumsy makes him an easy target to torment. And torment they do. When Milton is offered the chance to get even by a magical rhyming gnome named Duffy McDoogle, things are about to get interesting. With the ball in his court, this is his big chance to get even with the boys who make everyday miserable for him.

A humorous, yet touching tale of a little boy forced to stand alone and make the right decisions. Well adapted to many family situations today of a one-parent household, this delicate but very real subject of how a child learns to deal with adversity is handled in a manner that is presented in a fun way and still succeeds in getting it's point across.
Milton's Dilemma should be a part of every elementary school's curriculum.

Katherine J. Turcotte, Reviewer

A ten-year-old boy named Milton Hastings, Jr. moves to Smithville, a common occurrence for his military family. This move is without his father, who died a war-hero, and Milton struggles with the changes around him. Without friends, clumsy Milton becomes an easy target for the rich kid bullies at the school he attends.

The magic of a mischievous gnome named Duffy McDoogle guides Milton through a magical journey of right and wrong. A journey that allows Milton to choose his own path, to learn the consequences of revenge, how to make the right decisions, and what friendship really means.

MILTON'S DILEMMA is an enchanting story, wonderfully written by Patricia Gatto and John De Angelis. The beautiful illustrations of Kenneth Vincent are filled with rich color and detail. A lovely book for parents and teachers to share with their children, taking them on a journey of their own while teaching them how to listen to their heart. This is one any child is sure to enjoy!

Milton's Dilemma by the husband and wife writing team of John De Angelis and Patricia Gatto deals directly with the consequences of bullying in a sensitive, practical, entertaining manner as young readers ages 6 to 10 follow the journey of Milton from loneliness and anxiety to friendship and self-acceptance. Kenneth Vincent's rather impressive artwork is a perfect enhancement of a reader engaging story. Milton's Dilemma is a respected and commended addition to school and community library collections for children, nd especially recommended reading for any child having to deal with the issues of bullies and bullying.

This is a superbly affordable one volume scholarly edition of John Milton's poetical works. As some of the reviewers have already pointed out, its great virtue lies in the preservation of the original spelling as Milton wrote. That aside, it also contains Milton's minor poems in Latin, Italian and Greek in the original with English translations. The endnotes contain detailed technical matters such as dating, editions and other textual miscellany. The footnotes serve as reference to the poetry itself, clarifying uncommon words, classical allusions, etc.

Lastly, I must qualify that this book is not meant for the beginner trying to appreciate Milton's poetic genius. It doesn't pretend to be. Many other fine editions exist for that purpose, but for the one volume scholarly edition of Milton's complete poetical works, Professor Shawcross's work is of the highest calibre.

From a very young age, John Milton declared to friends and family that his ambition was to become the greatest English poet who ever lived (Christian modesty not being particularly high among his qualities), and a great many people are of the opinion that he succeeded; with this collection, modern readers have the chance to determine for themselves whether or not he managed it. Certainly, from my perspective, he reached the upper echelons, an area occupied also by the likes of Shakespeare (to whom Milton writes a poem), Tennyson, and Browning.

The book first covers Milton's large body of individual poems (running from a couple of lines to a couple of pages each), many of which were originally written in Latin, in which case both the untranslated and translated versions are included. There is a wide range of subjects covered, including many on religious matters, to dedications to friends or icons (such as the aforementioned Shakespeare), to sonnets. The poems are collected in three groups, chronologically: the years of his formal education, the years of his private life, and the years of his public career.

The real prizes, however, come after this: Milton's three major long works: "Paradise Lost", "Paradise Regained", and "Samson Agonistes". The first of these, obviously, is his magnum opus, often considered the greatest single poetic work ever written (which was Milton's ambition when writing it), detailing the story of the Fall of Man and Satan's rebellion against God. Done in the style of an epic (since, to be the greatest poet, one must write an epic, in the thinking of Milton's era), it is a classic. "Paradise Regained" is a (much shorter) follow-up that documents Christ's temptation by Satan; for all that "Paradise Lost" is a superior Milton, "Regained" is much more successful in communicating Milton's theology (no one reading it would theorize Milton is unknowingly sympathetic to the Devil). Finally, "Samson Agonistes", another Scripture-based work, is modelled not on the epic, but on the structure of a Greek tragedy, including a Chorus and the major action taking place off-screen, given to the audience via description. "Samson" dramatizes the final day of Samson's life, before his great feat of pulling down the Philistine temple, and sees Milton further examine themes relating to destiny and the proper way to carry out God's will.

Unlike many collections, the language of this collection has not been modernized, so all the original spelling is in tact. The footnoting is comprehensive, although occasionally the practice of merely citing the Scriptural passages Milton refers to without further illumination becomes wearisome.

If you are looking for a good collection of Milton's poetry, look no further than this book.

This edition is the best simply because it's the only one I've found that actually prints the texts as written, without modernizing the language or spelling. You get to read Milton as Milton wrote, not as he has been edited and modernized.

(Just as an example, you get to read "mortal tast" in line 2 of Paradise Lost, instead of "mortal taste")

If only they would come out with a Complete Shakespeare in the original text, without the modernization.

Milton is justly acclaimed as one of the greatest of all poets in the English language. His work has inspired many great artists in poetry, literature, religious exegesis, painting, sculpture, music, and drama. There is a reason William Blake, himself a great poet, called him the Divine Milton.

This great volume brings together all of Milton's poetry at a very affordable price. It is a volume you will want to have on your shelf and spend many hours reading and re-reading. You will find his language easy to read, but to pull the meaning out of the words will require close attention. There are many great works in this volume, but half of the volume consists of three major works: "Paradise Lost" (a favorite for so many for the past three centuries), "Paradise Regained", and "Samson Agonistes". People were most passionate about these poems when religion was more a part of daily life and was present in all aspects of our culture. Even today, critics as sophisticated as Harold Bloom find the Satan of "Paradise Lost" one of the great literary achievements of all time.

Reading these fabulous stories as poems energizes the appetite for more epic poetry. That is a great additional reward after receiving the gift of Milton's powerful images and beautiful language.

I recently sat in on a faculty seminar, where we're talking Paradise Lost and what to do with it in a humanities class, and was a bit surprised to find professors from all over the humanities department--a medieval prof, one who specializes in gender studies and 20th century lit, a classicist--who all still liked and read Milton, when I always thought I was a freak for really digging him. And they didn't just read him cause he's part of the canon, no, they truly enjoyed reading his poetry.

Anyway, there were lots of different editions laying around on the table, and I brought my brand new Riverside Milton, edited by Roy Flannagan, which, for all intents and purposes, is a wonderful book, but very expensive, and very, well, heavy. And I miss my old Shawcross, that I must have loaned to someone--with five years' worth of notes in there. I don't think you can beat good old Shawcroww--all of Milton's English poetry, in a good edition, with good apparatus, for under 15 bucks. Any reader, teacher, student of Milton: I highly recommend this edition, and guarantee you you will probably never need another.

Bertie Wooster can sing the latest Broadway melody while he scrub brushes his back, but I prefer reading poetry aloud in my acoustically-correct, ceramic-tiled bath. And I've discovered the perfect book for it: Dover's Thrift Edition of Great Sonnets.

It is from this small volume that I've learned that the world is charged with the grandeur of God ("God's Grandeur," Hopkins), that lust in action is a waste of shame ("Th' Expense of Spirit in a Waste of Shame," Shakespeare), and that listening to my lover's breathing while pillowed upon her breast beats looking at that lone, cold, bright and steadfast star any old day ("Bright Star," Keats).

And that's not all. This thin volume of sonnets is chock-full of other such keen observations.

For example, how does Wordsworth ("Surprised by Joy") manage to convey so economically that fleeting feeling of joy accidentally experienced by a man mourning the death of a loved one, that is immediately followed by his feeling of guilt for having felt it, which makes us feel how quickly times passes?

How does Archibald MacLeish reduce a cataclysmic event as large as the end of the world into so few choice words that when the circus big top blows off you feel as if the top of your head has blown off with it? ("The End of the World")

How can someone say so much in so few lines and so few words? Fourteen lines to be exact, with five strong beats or stresses per line-no more and no less-and a very exacting rhyme scheme. I don't know. I'm usually given to such wordiness that it would take me a warehouse the size of a state university filled with three-ring binders to tell you, and I still couldn't begin to touch the truth of it. However, that poets can do it never ceases to astonish me.

What's more, should my dog-eared Dover thrift edition ever fall by accident into the tub, I can cheaply replace it.

This is yet another great value produced by Dover publication. For a small amount of money one receives ' treasures' that can help sustain one throughout one's lifetime. There are ' immortal poems' in this collection including many of the greatest sonnets ever written , sonnets by Shakespeare, Donne, Milton, Wordsworth, Keats, Hopkins, the greatest masters of the form.
I myself came to know many of these sonnets in popular editions by other publishers, editions which have commentary these 'Dover Thrifts' lack. But the poetry is here, and much of it is real food for the soul.
The collection raises the question why it is that so much great English poetry has been written in this particular form- a question I do not really have the answer to.

this isn't an exhaustive collection of sonnets, nor a serious study. it is simply what it is: a short collection of sonnets that can be purchased cheaply. there are many great sonnets not included and no contemporary sonnets. but it isn't meant to be anything more than what it is. and if you love the sonnet, it's a good collection.

I needed a little reference with sonnet examples.
This fit the bill, and had some savory treats as well.
I am a bit time-greedy with my poetry reading, and a sonnet
is a fantastic way to get some of the best Shakespeare,
Shelley, Longfellow, Hardy, Frost, etc. distilled down
to a minute, even reading slowly.
It's great to flick open to a page
and see some masterful language on a time budget.
If you have little time, or haven't read poetry
for a while, this great little tome is fresh
entertainment. Read Shakespeare sonnets aloud
to the missus, and you'll both be entertained.
The sonnet bites back at the sound-bite!
No batteries needed, no compatibility problems,
no cell-tower fade on the train.
I love little books.. Try some today!

A fine collection of sonnets, including many if not most of the most familiar ones. Eight from Shakespeare, four from E. Browning, four from Frost, four from Hopkins, four from Longfellow. For me at least, a more appealing collection than another I recently purchased.

I needed this book for a graduate class on Milton this semester. The bookstore ran out and I needed a good copy in a hurry. The book was brand new as advertised, was a great price, and the shipping was even better! I got it in 3 days...just in time to complete the assignment!

Of English writers, John Milton is justly considered to be a close second to Shakespeare. This volume provides good illustration. He is not the easiest writer to read but the editor's notes help (as well as an understanding of mythology, English history, and the Bible). Milton excels in poetry, yet his prose remains powerful (Aeropagitica and Ready and Easy Way to Establish a Commonwealth in particular). Some of his works are rather tough to get through especially if you disagree with his point of view (I found this to be so with Doctine and Discipline of Divorce) or if you are unfamiliar with the time period he was writing in (Tenure of Kings and Magistrates). In his writing you will see his brilliance shine through in his ideas, arguements, and phrasing. Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained are written with such conviction that you could think that that is how those events had to have happened.

I am taking a Milton class at college, and there was a mix up at their book store with the Milton book. Some students ordered the correct book for the class through Amazon.com, but I bought this one to use and it's great. It has all the poems and prose that are going to be studied this semester. The teacher passed out a copy of a poem that Milton wrote that was not in her book or in the other students' who bought the correct book, but it was in this one that I bought. It's great.

The Oxford version of Milton's works is fairly comprehensive, and for that, it is appreciated. For those with an understanding of Latin, Oxford's choice to have the Latin opposite the English translation for several of Milton's poems is surely appreciated. However, notes on individual items within a work have endnotes, and while it is nice just to have notes on the works at all, having those notes on the page itself would be much more useful than having to hold a page open in the back of the book while reading a sonnet in the front of it. The Works include Paradise Lost/Regained, as well as Samson Agonistes, besides various poetry and even portions of Milton's pamphlets regarding his sociopolitical thoughts. Overall, not a bad set of works, but the design/layout could have been improved.

[John Milton, son of a scrivener and musician...]
This review is of the Oxford World's Classics edition of
-John Milton: The Major Works- (ISBN: 019280409X),
edited and with an Introduction by Stephen Orgel and
Jonathan Goldberg.
"That kings for such a tomb would wish to die" (John
Milton-- "On Shakespeare") -- "one of the greatest,
most noble, and most sublime poems which either this
age or nation has produced" (John Dryden -- on -Paradise
Lost-). The picture drawn of Milton, his life, and his
career (or careers) by Orgel and Goldberg is of a
man of intelligence and means who had been educated
for the life of a gentleman and a scholar in his
early life, yet finding that the surge of events
and ideologies has a way of changing one's timing,
course of expression, and even personal fate. Thus
Milton makes conflicting statements about his intents,
his "ripeness" (maturity of intellect and wisdom, more
than age), and which venue is his real chosen arena
of expression.
His first published poem, is anonymous, and is
"On Shakespeare" included in "the dedicatory verses
to the second Shakespeare folio[1632]." (Chronology.) Yet
in his first signed publication, -The Reason for Church
Government- (1642), a prose tract, "Milton presents himself ...
as a poet who uses only his 'left hand'
in writing prose. In the account he gives, his entire
life appears to have been spent in training as a poet." (Introduction.)
As the eldest son, however, he "had been from childhood
'destined'...to a Church career." (Introduction.) But
events intrude, as well as yearnings, and the 2 Jan. 1646
publication of -Poems of Mr. John MIlton, Both English
and Latin-, dated 1645. The Church career never materializes,
but in a strange way, a more interesting "preaching" or
"exhorting" or "inspirational" one does, through his
poetry, rather than his political tracts. And Milton,
perhaps even oblivious to his own constantly self-
revisionist attitudes and stances, creates a more
enduring legacy which has influenced literature,
scholarship, views about justifying "the ways of
God to man" (from -Paradise Lost-), and the common
cultural views about Satan, and Hell, and the Fall,
even more so than those of Dante.
This is an excellent edition which contains the
shorter English poems, the Latin poems (with both
Latin text on left pages -- and the Enlish translations
on the right pages), Selections from -A Book of
Sylvae-, Greek poem added 1673, Carmina Elegiaca,
the Prose Works: from -The Reason of Church Government-,
from -An Apology for Smectymnuus-, -The Doctrine and
Discipline of Divorce (Complete), -Of Education-
(Complete), -Areopagitica- (Complete), -The Tenure
of Kings and Magistrates- (Complete), from -The
Second Defence of the English People, -The Ready and
Easy Way to Establish a Free Commonwealth- (Complete).
Of course, there is also -Paradise Lost- (Complete);
-Paradise Regained- (Complete); and -Samson Agonistes-
(Complete). Highly enlightening are 3 Familiar Letters
of 1674: "To Charles Diodati, 1637"; "To Benedetto
Buonmattei, 1638"; and "To Leonard Philaras, Athenian."
There is a lengthy excerpt from -Christian Doctrine-
which starts out talking of "restoring religion to
something of its pure original state" and has the
very interesting (telling) perspective on Milton's
own "cross": "If I were to say that I had focused
my studies principally upon Christian doctrine because
nothing else can so effectually wipe away those two
repulsive affictions,tyranny and superstition [of
course, no idea that doctrine itself might promote
those two evils -- R.K.], from human life and the
human mind, I should show that I had been concerned
not for religion but for life's well-being." And
the glory of Oxford editions, there are copious
notes in the back going from page 735 to page 959,
Further Reading List, and Index of Titles and First
Lines. At this price, this volume is a real steal
(er, get thee behind me, Satan...) ... bargain!
-- Robert Kilgore.

This recording is beautifully done and makes a great companion to the written text. It's great if you are doing a study on the text, or just want to listen to the poetry.

I tend to be a very fast reader, and unfortunately that doesn't work well with poetry. A few years back I read the "Divine Comedy" and couldn't help racing through it. I missed a lot of the beauty of the work because of my reading habits. I have been listening to several audio books on my daily commute and saw that this work was available and decided to give it a try. I felt that listening to poetry in a spoken format would allow me to enjoy the beauty of it more since I believe most poetry was originally designed for oral transmission.

I found that listening to "Paradise Lost" did meet my expectations. I had to concentrate, but the effort was well worth it. I couldn't race through it and enjoyed it as intended. Anton Lesser did an excellent job as usual as the reader. His voice seemed appropriate for this type of work; though I agree with another reviewer that a more powerful voice may have been appropriate for the voice of God.

I really enjoyed Milton's vision of the creation and fall. The epic descriptions of the heavens and Satan and the other characters were vivid and I could see why this is considered such a great work. From a theological perspective, it was interesting to see his view of the origin of the angels, the Son, and Satan. He did a very good job of taking cryptic verses from the Bible and other sources and expanding them out into a powerful story.

I highly recommend this audio book and feel that this is a very good way to be introduced to Milton.

A person considering buying a recording of Paradise Lost might have two questions. First, Am I going to be able to follow the poem without notes and guidance? Second, should I buy the complete version or the abridged one?

Paradise Lost is a notoriously difficult text, full of learned references to mythology, history, and geography; the language is dense, the syntax twisted, the sense frequently obscure; and the poem is just plain long. Perhaps surprisingly, Anton Lesser's reading makes it possible to ride over all these difficulties; his intelligent and varied readings make the sense clear even when the language isn't. One hears the infinite variety of the poem, the delicate and touching parts as well as the stirring and sublime, the innocence of Paradise and the magnificent evil of Satan. I've read Paradise Lost perhaps half a dozen times over the years, always with notes; this is the first time I was sorry to reach the end of it.

But what about the abridged version? I don't recommend it; Milton builds up his climaxes on a vast scale, and a "great moments from Milton" approach weakens their effect. Also, on the abridged version, Eve is read by an actress. This seems to me a mistake; Paradise Lost is full of voices -- Satan and all the demonic throng, the allegorical figures of Sin and Death (Sin is also a woman), God, the Messiah, the angelic host, Adam and Eve -- and to single out one of the voices is to falsely highlight and distort. (Plus, the part is read with an odd accent, almost Irish; what is that about?) It must be granted that all of Lesser's skill can't make God Himself more than a cold and distant abstraction. But that is what Milton wrote, and probably what he intended.

So, my recommendation is to spend the extra and get the complete set. It's something you wouldn't want to miss!

If possible, I would have given this recording 4.5 stars. Lesser's reading is in many ways masterful; as an experienced Shakespearian actor, he has absolute command of blank verse and makes Milton's often convoluted syntax sound almost like natural speech. Throughout the poem, he reads in a slow-paced, majestic manner that adds appropriate gravitas to Milton's Biblical subject, especially with lines spoken by God and Satan that could easily become unintentionally humorous in the hands of a less skilful narrator. Unfortunately, Lesser never really varies from this style in parts of the text where he probably should - unlike other Naxos unabridged audiobooks, all the characters are read in almost exactly the same way, a potential source of confusion in scenes where there are multiple speakers. Lesser also doesn't pick up the tempo much for the more dramatic, suspenseful sequences where his ponderous tone is less appropriate. This is by far the best recording of Paradise Lost currently available, but I would personally have preferred a more "dramatic" reading that brought out Milton's plot and characterisation to a greater extent.

Mark Twain remarked that "a classic" is a book that people praise, but don't read.

Prior to listening to this unabridged audio version, I was only dimly aware of PARADISE LOST. I knew it was an epic poem about Satan's fall from grace, and knew that it was quoted in the Star Trek episode "Space Seed." ("It is better to rule in Hell than serve in Heaven.")

British thespian Anton Lesser brings the saga dramatically to life. It is a delight to hear a great actor speak great verse and tell an epic tale.

You still have to pay close attention to the proceedings. Multitasking throughout will leave you baffled and doing much rewinding. This is not for those with short attention spans. Focus is required, but you will be rewarded.

For those who revel in marvelous spoken word performances, this is highly recommended.

"Sky Above, Earth Below" illustrates the underlying principles spiritual traditions have in common. Rather than examining differences, it seeks to bridge the gap between all traditions and emphasizes the similarities. The distillation of these principles is genius, and has potential for greatly contributing to peace on our planet. The principles are both simple and profound.

The book also provides a foundation for Earth-honoring spirituality. These practices are crucial today in order to help reconnect us to the Earth and create a sustainable culture living in harmony with all of Nature. There are a great variety of exercises provided to help you cultivate a spiritual practice in Nature.

John P. Milton's personal stories are woven throughout the practices and principles. I found myself captivated by his amazing tales! The ideas and instructions in this book have enriched my life beyond measure.

If you are interested in creating more harmony, balance and authenitic peace in your life, spend some quiet time with this tape series! I learned how to relax, be present and rest with an open radiant heart, moment by moment...These audio tapes and the extensive study guide (practically a book in itself) provide the listener/reader with all the resources one needs to rediscover a deep sense of belonging to the Natural world. Drawing from many ancient wisdom teachings and time honored spiritual paths, John Milton provides gentle, reassuring guidance necessary to connect with one's true essence and the extraordinary healing energy of the Earth. If you are at all like me, you may be concerned about damaging human relationships that harm our immediate surroundings, perhaps you've noticed how the fields you once played in as a child are being gobbled up by tract developments, shopping malls and urban sprawl or, you may wonder why you feel so depleted and uninspired after a day at the office. If any of this is true for you, Sky Above Earth Below is the perfect antidote for the pervasive alienation and separation many of us are experiencing. in this high-tech, artificial, consumer driven culture we sometimes call civilization. In addition to learning wonderful new contemplative practices for my own personal growth and spiritual awakening, there are many practical recommendations about how to contribute to a healthier and happier world... how to embrace Nature and all the animals, birds and trees as part of one's intimate family. These tapes and the challenging study guide provide a firm foundation for becoming a "spiritual warrior" on behalf of this beautiful Earth. You will learn how you can courageously participate in turning the tide away from massive ecological and human imbalances that are causing so much harm around the world. Recorded live in the Chiricahua Mountains, Sounds True did a magnificent job of editing and producing a powerful message for our times. I wish I had the support of a foundation to send this tape set to every Civic Leader, elected official, Fortune 500 CEO, Public Library and School across this nation and around the world!

If you are looking to transform your life -body, mind, & spirit- this book is for you. John P. Milton, a gifted spiritual master and teacher of transformation shares ancient wisdoms and principles, practices to live into, and stories that open your heart. He doesn't just talk about it he lives it. We are fortunate that here he offers the reader the opportunity to easily begin a new practice or enhance an already existing practice with meditation and qi gong. Milton provides stories to help us relate to the purpose of each practice and to bring us into the mystery of touching universal source on our way to enlightenment. You are about to discover just how profoundly connected we truly are to sky above, earth below, and everything in between...
- Cheryl Esposito, founder, Center for World Leadership

Written by meditation teacher and workshop leader John P. Milton, Sky Above, Earth Below: Spiritual Practice in Nature is a simple guide to healing one's physical and spiritual body and creating a new relationship with oneself through meditation and connecting with nature's healing energy. Chapters walk the reader through how to experience the joys of meditation, a 10-minute practice designed to restore internal balance, means by which to cut through mental clutter to clarity and spaciousness, and much more. Written out of boundless reverence for the Earth and life itself, Sky Above, Earth Below transfers the wisdom of Taoism into simple terms accessible to all readers regardless of personal background.

All of my life, I have felt the presence of Spirit more in Nature than in any other setting. Whenever I go out in Nature for a walk, I always feel more calm, more clear, more peaceful and happier than before I left--even if it's just to a park. I am thrilled that this book and the tape set exist because they give me tools to deepen my relationship with Spirit in the setting where I feel It most. I always dreamed that there would be a path to cultivate my relationship with God that was free from the dogma, politics, and the exclusive self-righteousness of all of the religions I'm come into contact with.
Now there is. These teachings are clear and direct and easy to follow, and they produced profound and positive inner changes, even the first time I tried them. I feel happier, healthier and more alive because of them. The tape set is great too, because it is wonderful to hear the voice of the author--calm, peaceful, deeply resonant. And as a bonus, there are some fantastic stories in the book about John Milton's own spiritual journey. The teachings in this book are so universal and practical that I'm sure they would enhance anyone's journey.