Masterful retelling of the first three chapters of Genesis. Milton offers many faithful insights to the text, though Milton's Pelagian sensibilities are evident. The battle scenes and Satanic adversary make the work compelling throughout, while Lanzara's translation/paraphrase makes it accessible to young readers, who should certainly be instructed to read this book given its continued influence on Western culture. The work culminates with Adam's dispair being turned to hope through a vision of the coming Messiah, the true hero of the work and, again, wonderfully portrayed. ( )