John MiltonParadise Lost (Hackett Classics)

I am VERY (VERY VERY) skeptical about Kindle editions that say that they are "annotated." I don't know how many I've returned because the "annotations" were a biographical sketch, an editor's preface, some historical notes at the beginning, a table of chronology, and links in the text that really didn't work (well or at all).I cannot believe that this edition cost less than $10.00.It is LOADED with valuable textual, historical, biblical, theological, literary notes, as well as glosses on interpretation and vocabulary (even explaining things like what "shrouds and tackle" are. Because of the way the Kindle version is paginated, it's a little hard to measure, but when I checked the first 3 books of Paradise Lost in this edition,Book 1 (33 pages of the poem) was followed by 33 pages of notesBook 2 (38 pages of the poem) was followed by 29 pages of notesBook 3 (29 pages of the poem) was followed by 30 pages of notesAnd, yes, the text is referenced by page numbers as well as locations. The design of this eBook even takes into account how you might use it as a student: the pages with Milton's arguments and the actual text of Paradise Lost have page number references, but when you go to the notes at the end of each chapter, the Kindle version stops counting pages. So, for example, the last line of Book 3 is found on page 77, but when you get to the notes section, all 30 pages are numbered page 77.You might not agree with this methodology (I like it), but it shows that whoever assembled this eBook actually THOUGHT about what might make it useful. It is a model for other eBooks.Because I am coming back to Paradise Lost after studying it in graduate school more than 40 years ago, I am ENTHUSIASTIC about having an eBook that helps me in this way. And I am enjoying Paradise Lost like I never enjoyed it in grad school.And for $9.56?????

The best way to read one of the foundational classics of the Western world is to take a class at a university from a professor who specializes in Milton and baroque English authors. The second best way is to buy an edition like this one and read everything between the covers. Paradise Lost plumbs deeply the Greeks, Romans, the Bible and other religious and secular literature. In addition, it is a commentary on the English monarchy and the storm that overtook it with the execution of Charles I in 1649. Milton played a role in that drama, and it is embedded in Paradise Lost. By the time he started writing, a restoration was afoot, and Milton had to be careful not to indict himself for his enemies, who were looking for an excuse to arrest him. In other words, to simply read only the surface story is to miss almost everything, though the story itself is wonderfully told.I read the Kindle edition. That made it easy to pop from text to notes as they came up, deepening my understanding, but a paper book with a couple of bookmarks would be almost as easy. Paradise Lost is the work of a believer, and if you are a believer not afraid to read outside the Bible, your efforts will be rewarded. If you are a lover of literature, as I am, this is the mother lode!Paradise Lost is written in verse. This version modifies the English for modern readers. Even so, it will be a project. Set goals, stick with it, and you will be rewarded. I came to look forward to my nightly reading. My goal was 100 lines a night. Usually, though, I went over. If you've ever wanted to read one of the big ones, read Paradise Lost. It's not a classic just because bookish scholars like it!

Centuries after its publication, Paradise Lost remains a classic for a a reason!Although using words and descriptions that may result difficult to follow along for modern readers, the plot and the overall use of language rewards you for the effort, with some speeches and dialogues in particular outright iconic and memorable (Satan's laments over his fallen state being particularly enjoyable to read). As an added bonus, it is worth to mention how many concepts, ideas and even places (ex. Pandemonium) have their origins or popularization in this poem, being therefore an obliged purchase for anyone immersed in culture.So, don't be scared of the language--the footnotes of this edition being very useful to clarify most things, you will see that you will find one of the great works of English literature. Completely recommended.

From the perspective of a student taking a class on Milton's Paradise Lost.As an English Major, I value notes. I often buy books with the hope they will have notes from past owners, so I can view perspectives or contexts that I may not initially notice on my own. This edited edition of Paradise Lost is a formal version of that. The annotations are plentiful, and often take up most of the page with no assumptions that the reader will know every reference, or meaning of the words Milton slaps together. The margins are also big enough to write in!If you're a student looking for an edition, this is one you can't go wrong with.

Missing from my collection, this classic was a must-have. I'm not a snob about paperback vs hardcover, so for the price, this was a nice offering. I was nicely surprised by the illustrations in this volume, and pleased with the price. I'd recommend to anyone interested in reading this hallmark tome but not willing to spend a fortune for the hardbound editions. Be practical and serious, you'll only read this once or twice in your lifetime!