- Hardcover: 744 pages
- Publisher: Longman; 2 edition (9 Oct 1998)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0582215196
- ISBN-13: 978-0582215191
- Product Dimensions: 22.5 x 14.7 x 4.2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 5,178,708 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- See Complete Table of Contents
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Product Description
Product Description
This is a guide to Milton's major work, "Paradise Lost" providing notes which refer to extra-literary contexts, and aiming in particular to explain Milton's imaginary astronomy more fully than previous editions.
From the Back Cover
Longman Annotated English Poets
General Editor- John Barnard
Founding Editor- F. W. Bateson
Paradise Lost is the greatest work of one of the most acclaimed poets in English literature. It has had a profound influence on Western culture, and has attracted a vast amount of critical commentary of every sort. First published in 1968, Alastair Fowler’s annotated edition of Paradise Lost is acknowledged as the most authoritative guide to this major work, and to the critical analysis that it has prompted.
This important new edition maintains the detailed annotation that has for many years provided an interesting and comprehensive explanation to this difficult but compelling poem, making it accessible both to the student and the general reader. It is the only recent edition of Paradise Lost to be based on the text of the first (1667) edition, now widely accepted to be closer to Milton's intention than that of 1674.
The revised introduction describes the poem and its remarkable critical reception, surveying the nine thousand or so critical contributions devoted to it, not least during the last thirty years. Besides providing glosses and illustrations of sources and analogues, the notes refer to extra-literary contexts, religious, political and scientific, and aim in particular to explain Milton's imaginary astronomy more fully than any other edition has attempted. The notes also provide an unusual amount of critical commentary, in such a way as to engage with current thought about the poem. They assimilate or reject much criticism of Paradise Lost, giving guidance on the current issues, and what sorts of assumptions and interpretations need to be made by an informed reader.
Alastair Fowler is Regius Professor Emeritus of Rhetoric and English Literature at the University of Edinburgh, and was formerly Professor of English at the University of Virginia, USA.
Reviews of previous edition-
This is a very Bible of a Milton, and the editors should be upheld forever as the supreme example to all future editors and annotators of English verse.
Selina Hastings, The Daily Telegraph
Those familiar with the complexities and indecisions of Milton scholarship know how formidable a task it is to prepare an adequately annotated edition of the poems. Mr Carey and Mr Fowler have tackled this task with zest and discrimination as well as perseverance. For several years to come their work will be indispensable to both scholars and students.
The Times Literary Supplement --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
General Editor- John Barnard
Founding Editor- F. W. Bateson
Paradise Lost is the greatest work of one of the most acclaimed poets in English literature. It has had a profound influence on Western culture, and has attracted a vast amount of critical commentary of every sort. First published in 1968, Alastair Fowler’s annotated edition of Paradise Lost is acknowledged as the most authoritative guide to this major work, and to the critical analysis that it has prompted.
This important new edition maintains the detailed annotation that has for many years provided an interesting and comprehensive explanation to this difficult but compelling poem, making it accessible both to the student and the general reader. It is the only recent edition of Paradise Lost to be based on the text of the first (1667) edition, now widely accepted to be closer to Milton's intention than that of 1674.
The revised introduction describes the poem and its remarkable critical reception, surveying the nine thousand or so critical contributions devoted to it, not least during the last thirty years. Besides providing glosses and illustrations of sources and analogues, the notes refer to extra-literary contexts, religious, political and scientific, and aim in particular to explain Milton's imaginary astronomy more fully than any other edition has attempted. The notes also provide an unusual amount of critical commentary, in such a way as to engage with current thought about the poem. They assimilate or reject much criticism of Paradise Lost, giving guidance on the current issues, and what sorts of assumptions and interpretations need to be made by an informed reader.
Alastair Fowler is Regius Professor Emeritus of Rhetoric and English Literature at the University of Edinburgh, and was formerly Professor of English at the University of Virginia, USA.
Reviews of previous edition-
This is a very Bible of a Milton, and the editors should be upheld forever as the supreme example to all future editors and annotators of English verse.
Selina Hastings, The Daily Telegraph
Those familiar with the complexities and indecisions of Milton scholarship know how formidable a task it is to prepare an adequately annotated edition of the poems. Mr Carey and Mr Fowler have tackled this task with zest and discrimination as well as perseverance. For several years to come their work will be indispensable to both scholars and students.
The Times Literary Supplement --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
21 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Milton - as his daughters, who were made to transcribe his epic writings when his sight began to fail, would probably agree - is an awkward, demanding and challenging poet. His masterpiece, Paradise Lost, is prodigious in so many ways: it is ambitious, arrogant, learned, allusive and elusive. It is also quite breathtaking, a joy to read and a marvel when you actually understand it. And it is the understanding that can prove a stumbling block to the modern reader. Milton knew a lot of stuff that 'we' simply don't have a clue about; he made references to things that 'we' know in only the most hazy fashion. That's where this edition, edited by Alastair Fowler, comes in. It fills in the gaps in our collective knowledge and allows us to come to our own understanding of the magnificence of the poem. Reading this edition gives the poem extraordinary resonance: it's almost like sitting on the poet's shoulder, listening to his brain tick over. I can't recommend it highly enough, in fact, to paraphrase somebody or other, I think it is safe to say that you haven't read Paradise Lost, if you haven't read Fowler.
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
_Paradise Lost_ will of course continue to be reproduced, but the content will essentially stay the same. The question is which of the countless number of editions to purchase. Fowler's editing and copious yet useful annotations are first rate for any single edition of PL. Though most publishers treat epic poetry as though it were pulp-fiction, Longman has dignified this volume with paper that is acid-free and binding that is better than most hardcovers as it is stiched in signatures. It is simply beautiful, and it is simply the best edition if one wants to study Milton's epic carefully.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
If you're serious about Milton, this is the best edition of Paradise Lost to equip yourself with, whether for home study or for academic purposes. The annotations offered in this edition are truly superb - ranging from social and historical contexts and themes, to the significance of Milton't other works and similarities/contrasts in other sections of Paradise Lost. I thought this was an extremely helpful edition and without it I would never have enjoyed Paradise Lost as much as I do - it made my whole experience of reading Milton's epic so much more rewarding. Initially I was only fascinated with the first 6 or 7 Books of Paradise Lost, but with the Longman Annotated edition I re-read the whole epic and it was wonderful to spot the various contrasts and similarities weaved in throughout the entire text. A definite eye opener!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A Classic with extras
From what I can gather, the first edition of this Fowler annotated PL was widely regarded as 'Bible' by Milton fans. This, therefore can only be considered equal if not improved.
Published on 3 July 2009 by swozee boy see
Excellent Notes for Students
The only work of English literature to be properly epic in absolutely every manner, nothing else I have ever read approaches it in majesty. Read more
Published on 15 Feb 2009 by chatvarin
Good way in to one of the greats of the English Language
Why read Milton?
There are many reasons why Milton is informative and enjoyable to readers today. Firstly, his poetry is brilliant. Read more
There are many reasons why Milton is informative and enjoyable to readers today. Firstly, his poetry is brilliant. Read more
Published on 27 May 2008 by Mr. J. A. Edwards
heavy going but i got an A !!
Our lecturer told us to purchase this edition due to the notes and intro. I thought the story itself was a difficult read, and sometimes the notes were just as bad. Read more
Published on 20 Nov 2003 by Vicky Ward
A masterpiece for the ages.
To be honest, I have never a big fan of poetry, but John Milton's epic changed that. I only decided to read this book after religion(and anti-religion) discussions started to... Read more
Published on 14 April 1999
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