This engaging book by one of today's best-known Christian writersexplores the history of heaven, from its origins in biblicalwritings to its most recent representations. A short, accessible book on the history of heaven. Draws together representations of heaven by a wide range ofwriters, theologians, politicians and artists. Covers literary works such as Dante's Divine Comedy,Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, and the poems of GeorgeHerbert. Considers discussions by Marx and Freud of heaven's role insociety. Based on serious scholarship but is ideal for thenon-specialist who wants to learn more about the idea ofheaven. Alister E. McGrath is one of today's best-known Christianwriters.