Customer Reviews

John Milton: A Hero of Our Time

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For those with a scholarly interest in John Milton's life and works, this book offers much by way of new thoughts and research. Clearly, Mr. Hawkes has spent a great deal studying the works and life of Milton, and his interpretations of some of the more arcane nuances of Milton's thoughts are very illuminating.

It is, however, extremely unfortunate, that the author uses this book as a means to issue constant philippic about the "evils of capitalism", "the vileness of lending at interest", etc. No matter one's view on these issues, a biography about John Milton and a detailed account of his works is an improper venue thereof. It is unscholarly and extremely irrelevant. And though nearly 1/3 of the book consists of said irrelevant lambasting, the portion that is actually biographic is excellent and I would recommend the book to anyone who is able to discern between fact and opinion. As such, the portion of the book that could be truly considered biographical is approximately 150 pages.

I for one am grateful that I purchased this book as it offers fascinating interpretations.

As a biography, it is lacking and I would recommend that anyone interested in the life of this phenomenal figure find his or her biography elsewhere.

Published to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Milton's birth, John Milton: A Hero of Our Time is a thoughtful biography of poet, polemicist, public servant, and legendary author John Milton, perhaps best known for his classic "Paradise Lost". A man driven by his conscience and his understanding of logic, Milton stood firm in his beliefs during a time of tremendous religious and political turmoil in England. From Milton's participation in the English civil war to his ideas about capitalism, love, and marriage that were surprisingly ahead of their time, to his views on political violence and religious terrorism, John Milton: A Hero of Our Time encapsulates the greatness of a visionary thinker and the morals of a humanitarian. Highly recommended, especially for public and college library collections.