Milton was completely blind by the time he finished this staggering classic work of poetry in 1667. It is difficult to conceive how this epic was created, so intricate and comprehensive is it in its theme and execution, telling of the Creation of the World, Humanity, the Great War in heaven, Satan’s Fall and anti-heroic posture, Adam and Eve’s love and tragic fall (as powerfully depicted as I have ever encountered), and the prophesied redemption of all things. Replete with poetic phrases which have become justly famous, this is not an easy book necessarily, but it is a beautiful and still potent one.