Complete Poems and Major Prose

Aiming for brevity, I’ll arrange this review in three sections: Pros, Cons, and Neutralities. Before that, what to expect from the book? As titled, the complete poems and major prose in a sturdy and annotated edition.Pros:1- Despite the editor noting that he tried to limit the notes so that it is not overwhelming, nor becoming too girthy of a book—do not fret of the notes being dumbed-down. They’re not. In Paradise Lost, on average, third of every page is footnotes; sometimes half of it (great!).2- Many of the minor works are preceded by an introductory/bibliographical headnote; and the major works are preceded by introductions, some of which are extensive (e.g. Paradise Lost has a 38-page introduction).3- Milton’s non-English works are paralleled with an English translation.4- An appendix with three early accounts of Milton’s life are provided (Aubrey’s, Phillips, and an anonymous account).5- Sturdy binding, good print and typography.Cons:1- The book does not have an introduction (though the individual works do have individual introductions) but the book as a whole doesn’t have one which presents the background, occupations, and themes of Milton. So it presupposes that the reader has acquired background information on his own, that he is an “intelligent amateur reader.” The lack of an introduction is mitigated by the early lives in the appendix (though early accounts are no conclusive accounts, nor do they offer the depth of modern introductions).Neutralities:1- Is the book completely modernised in spelling and punctuation, or is it not? The editor satisfies both parties, to some extent. The punctuation and spelling are modernised, but the peculiarities of Milton are retained. For example, most of Milton’s choices of capitalisations are retained, even for words like “Spirit,” since they convey emphasis, and/or significations to different meanings (the signified for “spirit” is not the same for “Spirit”). Also, the editor does not modernise pronouns (thee, thou, etc) which is correct and right, nor does he modernise many past participles, nor elisions, etc—good choice. In general, it does not offer a complete modernisation, nor does it leave the original unchanged; rather, it meets both parties in the middle, without sacrificing intelligibility or authenticity.

This is a beautiful book, it makes me want to line a study room wall to wall with books as beautiful as this one.

This is the classic edition of Milton's work that I had in college, and the quality of that old book is undiminished. If you are looking for the right Milton, this is it. The notes are thorough but tasteful. I have other editions of Milton, but this is the one I prefer to read.

Bought it for a class that I took as an undergrad and still find myself going back to read it as a wizened adult. You can't talk about appreciating Milton without sounding like a tool, but I sure did appreciate it.

Excellent condition, fast shipping.

I needed this for a college class. It was great. Quality is good, it was the exact book I needed. The prose inside isn't too bad either. Also saved about 40 dollars buying it here.

A formidable book to lug around(in a good way). The definitive collection of Milton works. Arrived in timely fashion, in almost perfect used condition, and at a great price.

Milton writes his personal realizations of God with beauty, force and the support of various, often mutually divergent, traditional outlooks.The book was in good shape and arrived on time.