With brevity, depth, and accessibility, this book helps readers to appreciate the works of John Milton, and to understand the great influence they have had on literature and other disciplines.Presents new and authoritative essays by internationally respected Milton scholarsExplains how and why Milton's works established their central place in the English literary canonStructured chronologically around Milton's major worksAlso includes a select bibliography and a chronology detailing Milton's life and works alongside relevant world eventsIdeal as a first critical work on Milton