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.
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"One of the most influential Christian books of all time. Bunyan brilliantly applies theological concepts to this classic allegory of the pilgrim on the journey of the Christian life. This book is a must read! This edition has been updated to use mostly modern English, and has helpful endnotes interpreting some Bunyan's concepts. I found it helpful to study this book with the aid of a study guide however, like Maureen L. Bradley's The Pilgrim's Progress Study Guide, for example. Pilgrim's Progress is a timeless classic, and a must-read for everyone!"
— Philip (5 out of 5 stars)
“This is the great merit of the book, that the most cultivated man cannot find anything to praise more highly, and the child knows nothing more amusing.”
— Samuel Johnson“The most influential religious book ever written in the English language.”
— Alexander M. Witherspoon, professor of English at Yale University“Written in homely yet dignified biblical prose, the work has some of the qualities of a folktale, and in its humor and realistic portrayals of Mr. Worldly Wiseman, Faithful, Hopeful, Pliant, and Obstinate, it anticipates the eighteenth-century novel.”
— Merriam-Webster Encyclopedia of Literature“Next to the Bible, the book I value most is John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress. I believe I have read it through at least a hundred times. It is a volume of which I never seem to tire; and the secret of its freshness is that it is so largely compiled from the Scriptures. It is really Biblical teaching put into the form of a simple yet very striking allegory.”
— Charles H. Spurgeon" I love this book as it is a visual of a Christians walk with God. If you are lacking in God then you won't like it which should also make you aware of how far removed from God you are. If you are really a soul seeking the face of God this book is a great comfort and guidance of what a Christian goes through in their walk with God. If you dont feel that then I suggest you start seeking God as never before. "
— Connie, 11/4/2017" Didn't read all of it just parts ( the Nicholas / Smike parts mostly ) "
— BAKU, 2/14/2014" The allegory can be a little daunting and tiring, but overall I did enjoy this book and the lessons that it was intended to teach. "
— Diana, 2/11/2014" This was a book that I have wanted to read since I was a small child and Jo in "Little Women" made much ado about this book. I finally read it. I did enjoy it, although I did not agree with all the beliefs in the book. I see in other reviews that people say John Bunyan was a Baptist but my understanding reading the book was that he was a Calvinist. I guess it doesn't really matter what he was but it does explain some of the differences in his believes. "
— Beth, 2/3/2014" This is an interesting Christian book that tries in parable to tell how to get to heaven. "
— Mariola, 1/30/2014" This is my all time favorite book. It taught me that even though there can be countless struggles down the right path you can still be victorious at the end. "
— Sierra, 1/28/2014" This was an interesting story, particularly from a historical perspective. It's not what I would call an easy read, though. It is an allegory of someone who starts the Christian life and follows it through to its conclusion, amid all the snares and pitfalls that a pilgrim can expect to face. As it is well over 300 years old the language is somewhat archaic but it is not too difficult to read. "
— George, 1/27/2014" ALMOST DONE! It is such a wonderful book and anyone could relate to his struggles. "
— Rachel, 1/16/2014" This is my fav fiction book of all time! It's a must read each year for my own journey. "
— Lorie, 1/16/2014" It would be difficult to overstate the worth of this book. The only detracting comment would be that Bunyan was not a poet. I have read this book many times and am enriched and encouraged every time I read it. I highly recommend it. "
— Jeff, 12/4/2013" This is a great book to read to you kids. You should not expect the in-depth details of the classic by John Bunyan. This book is an adaptation of the classic work edited for young ones. Good art work and story for kids. Loved reading this to my kids! "
— Ben, 12/4/2013" I read this book during a "Great Books" class in 7th grade and still remember the impact of the prose. "
— Barbara, 10/8/2013" Taught to Sr. English class. Allegorical look at the journey Christians undertake in our Spiritual lives. Bunyan has quite a testimony himself, which gave the book more significance. "
— Brenda, 9/17/2013" read the book...couldn't find it in here as just a book. "
— dd03, 9/12/2013" Very helpful, very enjoyable. Provides a good framework for understanding life, namely, as a pilgrimage "from this world to that which is to come." "
— Joshua, 2/8/2013" Essential Christian reading. An encouraging read for any growing Christian. "
— Vaughn, 12/15/2012" This hurt my head. It may be a classic, but I couldn't finish it. "
— Granny, 12/8/2012" I never got to finish this one, but I walked away with many thought provoking and faith-filled stanzas "
— Eleanore, 10/17/2012" Jan 2013 - I think I need to reread this book at least once a year. Every time I do so I get something new out of it. This year, I listened to the audio book - it was GREAT! "
— Sarah, 12/28/2011" If you haven't read this classic book, put down whatever lackluster tome that is in your hands and go get it! "
— Walt, 8/28/2011" A must-read! Griping and inspiring from page 1 to the end. "
— Dany, 7/28/2011" Then I saw that there was a way to hell even from the gate of heaven. "
— Martha, 7/18/2011" Well I read The Dangerous Journey. "
— Emma, 7/16/2011" I read this to my kids years ago but it bored us all and we never finished it. "
— Rhonda, 5/16/2011" Straightforward Christian (Protestant) allegory. It's well-written, although contrary to Catholic teachings to which I adhere. "
— Anna, 5/15/2011" If I were a character in this book, what would MY name be? <br/> <br/> "
— Rae, 5/12/2011" I read an abridged version and that was even too much for me....read it in my high school freshman Bible class and we dissected this book for a year. Needless to say, it was not my favorite class. "
— Carisa, 4/28/2011" Read it when i was a kid. Torture. "
— Sid, 4/22/2011" Amazing book. I have the Signet Classics edition - pocket size, which I like. Just finished with my British Lit. class for the first time. Also read Winter, 2008. "
— Josh, 4/19/2011" Boy, normally I'm all over the classics. But this one just didn't do much for me. Some books are a metaphor on top of a story. This one was just the metaphor. "
— Sean, 4/13/2011" It was often laborious -- lots of symbolism "
— Linda, 4/5/2011" Love this book. Such illustrations and names to personify Christian characters. I reread this frequently. "
— Jeanne, 3/29/2011" A must-read! Have read this many times. "
— Jeanne, 3/21/2011" One of my very favorite books. I discovered it when I was about 13 and reading Little Women. (I later played Jo in a high school production). I immediately went to our old creaky library and checked it out. I liked it so well that I gave a book report on it and made a map of Christian's journey. "
— Linda, 3/16/2011" I have started this many times since starting and not finishing it in the sixties. Thanks to Kindle - I finally completed it. I don't know why but it seemed much more doable in Kindle. I really think the type face may have had much to do with success.<br/>I'll never have to read it again. whew. "
— Bcoghill, 3/10/2011" Surprisingly one of the best devotional literature pieces ever. "
— Eli, 3/5/2011John Bunyan (1628–1688) started out as an itinerant worker and a soldier. When he began to have religious experiences, he joined a Christian fellowship and soon began preaching. His discussions with the followers of George Fox inspired his first book, Some Gospel Truths Opened, published in 1656. In 1660, he was arrested while preaching. During twelve years of imprisonment in the county jail, he wrote several works, including Profitable Meditations, Praying in the Spirit, The Holy City, and Grace Abounding. He was released after the Declaration of Indulgence of 1672, under which he became a licensed preacher and pastor of the church to which he belonged; but in 1673 the Declaration was canceled, and Bunyan was sent back to prison for six months. During this time he wrote his most famous work, the epic Christian allegory The Pilgrim’s Progress. His defined religious outlook is balanced in his writing by an almost modern realism and psychological insight.
Simon Vance (a.k.a. Robert Whitfield) is an award-winning actor and narrator. He has earned more than fifty Earphones Awards and won the prestigious Audie Award for best narration thirteen times. He was named Booklist’s very first Voice of Choice in 2008 and has been named an AudioFile Golden Voice as well as an AudioFile Best Voice of 2009. He has narrated more than eight hundred audiobooks over almost thirty years, beginning when he was a radio newsreader for the BBC in London. He is also an actor who has appeared on both stage and television.