The Pilgrim's Progress (Blackstone Audio Classic Collection) (Library Edition) [Audiobook, Unabridged] [Audio Cassette]

John Bunyan (Author), Robert Whitfield (Reader)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1991

Next to the Bible, The Pilgrim's Progress has probably been more widely read than any other book in the English language, and rightfully so. It is considered by many critics to be the greatest allegory in any language. And to think that it was written by a jailed tinker who received very little formal education!

This classic allegory tells of a Christian's epic journey toward heaven and the many temptations and distractions he encounters along the way. With a burden on his back, Christian reads a book that tells him that the city in which he and his family dwell will be set ablaze. Christian flees from the City of Destruction and journeys through the Slough of Despond, the Valley of Humiliation, the Valley of the Shadow of Death, Vanity Fair, Doubting Castle, and the Delectable Mountains before finally reaching the Celestial City.

The Pilgrim's Progress holds a unique place in the history of English literature. Bunyan captures the speech of ordinary people as accurately as he depicts their behavior and appearance and as firmly as he realizes their inner emotional and spiritual life.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Next to the Bible, the book I value most is John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress. --Charles Spurgeon

About the Author

JOHN BUNYAN (1628-1688) was born in Elstow, England and started out as a tinker and a soldier. When he began to have religious experiences, he joined a Christian fellowship and began preaching. In 1660 Bunyan was arrested while preaching and imprisoned for twelve years, during which time he wrote several works. He was released after the Declaration of Indulgence of 1672 and became a licensed preacher and pastor but was sent back to prison for six months when the Declaration was canceled in 1673. During that time he wrote his best known classic, The Pilgrim's Progress. His realism and psychological insight as a writer make him a precursor of the modern novelist. A Puritan, Bunyan also wrote three other influential works: The Life and Death of Mr. Badman (1680); The Holy War (1682); and Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners (1666).

Product Details

• Audio Cassette
• Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.; Unabridged edition (June 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786112735
• ISBN-13: 978-0786112739
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,570,172 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

57 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A magnificent classic, for Christians and non-Christians alike. Also a great Theology book., October 31, 2010

By 

Kersi Von Zerububbel "Kersi" (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Pilgrim's Progress from this world to that which is to come, delivered under the similitude of a dream, by John Bunyan (Kindle Edition)

I had read Pilgrim's Progress years ago prior to getting this Kindle version. This is an EXCELLENT version because it retains the original unabridged text AND the language thus adding to the beauty and majesty of the work. Sure there are quite a few Thees and Thous but that is what partly makes the book so good. Also this version does not contain his wife's journey.

One caveat. I recommend that you read the book in its original and in the old English version. A few years ago I purchased a hardcopy that touted itself as being in modern English but that diminished the text considerably. I believe this book is of much literary value; so much so that even non-Christians can profit greatly from this book. Don't put off reading this gem because you assume that it's for Christians only. I am waiting for another Kindle version that will link the biblical references to a Bible thus making it feasible to read the verses referenced. But for the cost of this version, FREE, you cannot go wrong. An ABSOLUTE MUST read. Very highly recommended.

41 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great book., November 28, 2009

By 

Christina Grover - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Pilgrim's Progress from this world to that which is to come, delivered under the similitude of a dream, by John Bunyan (Kindle Edition)

Has the full version of the original Pilgrim's Progress(though not the second part where his wife follows. It is well translated to present day though there are a few thee's and thou's. not bad for free...

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The audio book is very good, June 18, 2008

By 

Jeffrey Van Wagoner (Gilbert, AZ USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Pilgrim's Progress (Blackstone Audio Classic Collection) (Library Edition) (Audio CD)

I have made it a habit this year to get through many of the classics on audio book during my daily commute. I picked Pilgrim's Progress since it was one of the most influential English books ever published, and I wanted to see what it was all about.

The audio book was published by Blackstone Audio and the reader was Robert Whitfield. The reader did an excellent job and was very easy to listen to. He did some characterization with his voice that made it easy to know which character was speaking. I was a little worried about the older style English, but it gave me no problem. It probably helps that I am familiar with the King James Version of the Bible. Overall, listening to this book worked out very well.

This is the first book length allegory that I have been through and I thought it was an excellent way to teach. There is no doubt which principal each character is supposed to represent by their name, and their actions represented that well also. I can understand why so many families had this book in their libraries. As far as Christian doctrine goes, there are a few things that some would disagree with, but most of the principals taught are still generally accepted today. The path to God's presence is filled with opposition, but there is help available and the reward is worth it.

I highly recommend this book for anyone wanting to understand an important part of our heritage, and to see what an effective tool allegory is.