John Bunyan: Author of The Pilgrim's Progress (Heroes of the Faith) (

Product Description
The doubts, temptations, and hopes of his own spiritual journey were put on paper and he became author of The Pilgrim's Progress.

From School Library Journal
Grade 9 Up-Chelsea is off to a poor start in this series if it believes that fictionalized ramblings can substitute for accurate, well-documented biographies. Is the fact that these books examine "Heroes of the Faith" reason to hold them to lower standards? There are no illustrations and the indexes are woefully inadequate. C. S. Lewis lacks a bibliography of works by and about that author. Wellman also fails to discuss the continuing importance and influence of either man. These flaws, however, pale in comparison to the convoluted writing that's full of phony, invented dialogue-and, in Bunyan, completely fabricated scenes. Few readers will plod through these tedious, unreliable pages. Beatrice Gormley's C. S. Lewis (Eerdmans, 1997) is a far superior and more attractive production.
Ann W. Moore, Schenectady County Public Library, NY

Piligrim's Progress

Description
The adventures and perils Christian encounters on his journey from the City of Destruction to the Celestial City are a classic tale and a vivid portrayal of Christianity. In this fully illustrated book, the story is retold especially for today's children. (20041224)

Review
"The classic story of Pilgrim's Progress is told in a fresh way as Christian faces many dangers and adventures on his journey from the City of Destruction to the Celestial City. As Christian tries to stay on the right path he faces lions, giants, monsters, terrifying forests and people who try to steer him away. This story of a life adventure is told especially for young readers and the amazing illustrations bring Christian values to life." (Kids Bookshelf )

"This classic and timeless story of the adventure of life is retold for younger children. The large illustrations are very colorful and modern looking. This makes for an attractive book, which can be read as a first introduction to a more elaborate version and edition, closer to the original text." (WD Christian Schools International )

Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners: In a Faithful Account of the Life and Death of John Bunyan

Description
"Grace Abounding continues the tradition of Christian testimonial classics tracing back to the Confessions of Saint Augustine. John Bunyan¿s autobiography, written while he was imprisoned for holding unsanctioned religious services and first published in 1666, is the unsparing account of one man¿s spiritual journey from atheism and blasphemy to devout Christianity.

A reckless and profane youth leads Bunyan to despair in the belief that he has committed unforgivable sins. But two religious books belonging to his wife set Bunyan on the straight and narrow and a lifetime of pious devotion. Honest and unblinking in his self-assessment, Bunyan saw it as his duty to tell his story, warts and all, in order to comfort all those struggling with their faith. This classic of religious literature continues to be essential reading for the faithful and for students of great English literature. English preacher and writer JOHN BUNYAN (1628¿1688) is the author of nearly sixty books, nine of which were written while he was in prison for unlicensed preaching. His works include The Pilgrim¿s Progress (1678¿84), The Life and Death of Mr. Badman (1680), and The Holy War (1682).

John Bunyan - His Life, Times And Work

Description
CONTENTS Frontispiece-JOHN BUNYA N f rom Robert Whites Pencil Drawing Cracherode Collection, British Museum PAGE I. EARLYC HURCHLI FE IN BEDFORDSHIR . E I IV. SPIRITUACL ONFLICT . 5 VI. FIVE YEARS O F BEDFORDLI FE 1655-1660 . 93 VII. HARLINGTOHNO USE A ND THE CHAPEL O F HERNE . 126 VIII. TWELV YE E A RS IN BEDFORGDA OL . 5 5 IX. THEC HURCH IN THE STORM . . 190 X. THRE Y E E ARS O F LIBERTY 1 672-1675 . . 216 vii EARLY CHURCH LIFE IN BEDFORDSHIRE JOHN BU NYANb, o rn in the English Midlands, may be taken as in some sense a characteristic representative of the region that gave him birth.

For the tract of country between the Trent and the Bedfordshire Ouse, which from its northern half gave the Pilgrim Fathers to New England, furnished from its fens and fields in the south n succession of men of his own sturdy independence of thought, and in strong sympathy with his own Puritan faith. In the development of even the most original genius, the environment counts for much it may help us, t11erefore to a truer estimate of the man if we first briefly recall the spiritual antecedents of the county in which lie was born ancl in which his life was spent. When the Reformation broke in upon the old ecclesiastical system of England, Bedfordshire seems to have been more than usually receptive of the new ideas tllen rising over Europe. Not that the wllole county, any more than other counties, was prepared to become Protestant at a stroke. Here, as elsewhere, many Englisllmen, after their manner, were inclined to standin the ways, and see and ask for the old paths. Leading families, like the Rlordaunts of Turvey, remained firm in their allegiance to the ancient faith, and turned their llouses into hiding-places for its bishops and priests during the hard days of Elizabeth and James...

The Holy War by Jonn Bunyan

Description
Bunyan's second most loved work after Pilgrim's Progress. Also allegorical, this work tells the story of mankind's redemption by comparing it to a besiege city.

About the Author
John Bunyan (1628-1688) was a Baptist preacher and author who received very little formal education and at an early age worked in the trade of his father, who was a tinker. After his conversion in his twenties, Bunyan began to preach and to write. In 1660, after the restoration of Charles II, the Nonconformists were subjected to religious persecution. Because Bunyan refused to give up his preaching, he was arrested and placed in the Bedford jail, where he remained for nearly twelve years. During his imprisonment, Bunyan wrote many of his most acclaimed works.

The Pilgrim's Progress (Signet Classics)

Description
The Pilgrim's Progress is regarded as one of the most significant works of English literature, and has been translated into more than 100 languages. The allegory tells of Christian, an everyman character, who makes his way from the "City of Destruction" (earth) to the "Celestial City" (heaven) of Zion.

Review: By A Customer
I Corinthians 13 says the following: If I have all faith as to
remove mountains, but have not love, then I am nothing...

Bunyan's allegory about Christian's journey is
predominantly a journey about faith....He doesn't really
talk about one's day to day struggles, and the need to
bear each other's burdens....It is primarily a solo kind of
journey here, but this should not be too surprising
considering that the book is an allegory about one's
own INNER struggle to avoid temptation, as typified by
"the world". In Christ our flesh has been crucified, so we
are not to dwell on earthly things.

I think the book succeeds admirably in admonishing the
Christian to avoid temptation and stay on the path that is
narrow and straight.

With that said, this is a remarkably readable version, that
is at the same time true to the original 17th century text.
Only spelling and punctuation have been changed to aid
the modern reader. Grammar and paragraphing have not
been altered. Where a word's meaning has changed over
time, its archaic meaning is included as a footnote. Also,
where Bunyan quotes from the Bible, directly or indirectly,
the passages quoted from are cited. The editors have
done a remarkable job, although truthfully I haven't looked
at all the other versions out there....For me, this version
does the job.