In that place of blissful peace, before this world's creation, an army of rebel angels challenges the very throne of God. In an epic battle they are defeated, and heaven casts them out, sending one third of her populous to the uttermost pit of hell. Undaunted and bent on revenge, their leader, Satan, emerges from the burning lake and embarks on an odyssey through vast chaos. He alights on newly created earth, where an apple becomes his instrument to induce the downfall of humanity.

The account of humankind's first moral struggle has never been so grandly told as in Milton's great poem, which remains popular with every new generation. Readers enjoy the vastness of the settings and the grand scope of action. The delights of the Garden of Eden, the murky caverns of hell, the infinity of starless space, the mystical splendor of God's heavenly court, dazzle and inspire believer and non-believer alike.

But Milton's lengthy masterpiece requires intense study to appreciate. The 17th century style is complex and sometimes obscure. The weighty poem, though famous, is seldom tackled outside the classroom.

Existing study guides summarize and explain the work, but are dry and tedious. Until now, no version has allowed the modern reader to enjoy the full grandeur of the imagery without having to struggle with complicated language. For many readers who are unlikely to undertake the study of the poem, yet who remain curious, this novel provides a reading experience that flows from page to page, delivered in the charm and rich texture of the ancient voice.

Joseph Lanzara undertakes a monumental task, editing and translating with surprising resourcefulness and imagination. He proves the task has fallen into the right hands. His formidable first entry on a literary blank slate is destined to also become a classic: the definitive prose version of the world's greatest epic poem.