Synopses & Reviews
An Oxford student's investigation into his professor's death unveils the hidden meaning of Milton's Paradise Lost amidst a trail of conspiracy and murder. Brimming with intrigue, mystery, and suspense, this book is a tale of history, literature, forgery, and religious conspiracy that exposes the enigma behind John Milton's epic poem. Paradise Lost, the most widely read and celebrated poem of Western literature and the supreme epic of the English nation and all of Christendom, was written to justify the ways of God to man and explain the moral paradox of evil. But was it truly based on Christian theology, as assumed, or from a different set of beliefs? Some believe that Milton himself wrote a lost manuscript explaining the true meaning of his poem. Was there really such a manuscript? If so, why has it remained concealed for so many years? This novel deals with the search for Milton's true spiritual beliefs. This thrilling mystery is the story of Keith Jessup, a PhD student at Oxford whose professor is murdered before delivering a lecture disclosing Milton's own explanation of Paradise Lost. In his stead, Keith takes up the quest to find the Milton Manuscript and finally unravel the meaning of the poem. The scholarly hunt proves perilous as he discovers a plot to conceal the manuscript. Why? What could it contain that could spark such fear and be the cause of so many murders over the centuries? In this historically rich book, Libin uncovers the interpretation of Milton's epic poem and reveals how Milton justifies the ways of God to man.
Review
"This is a fabulous mystery that is at its best with the deep look into Milton, his beliefs, his era and his masterpieces. The murders of scholars and the assaults on the present day hero add action and suspense, but also detract from the incredible captivating depth into the life and times of John Milton." —Harriet Klausner, themysterygazette.blogspot.co.il
Review
"For those who love adventure stories, this is a book worth putting on the same shelf with the De Vinci Code [sic]. And for those who want to read a fresh and an enthusiastic tribute to Judaism, this is a book worth savoring and worth sharing....you will never think of John Milton in quite the same way after reading this book." —Jack Reier, the South Florida Jewish Journal
Review
"The story explores the importance of Paradise Lost to Christendom, but also presents interesting aspects of the poem that account for Milton’s knowledge and understanding of Mosaic Law and Hebraic texts. . . . this book delivers a suspenseful, enjoyable, and inte¬lectually stimulating read." —Renita Last, jewishbookcouncil.org
Review
"Barry Libin displays a deft and subtle hand with his Milton work. Dr. Libin's astute and nuanced work with Milton's treatment of evil is highly impressive." —David Birnbaum, author, Summa Metaphysical
Synopsis
An Oxford student's investigation into his professor's death unveils Milton's hidden meaning of Paradise Lost amidst a trail of conspiracy and murder. Many are calling The Mystery of the Milton Manuscript the "Jewish Da Vinci Code." Is it possible that John Milton's epic poem, Paradise Lost, the most celebrated poem of English and Christian Literature, is based on Jewish principles? Brimming with intrigue, mystery, and suspense, this new book is a tale of literature, forgery, and religious conspiracy that thrillingly exposes the enigma behind Paradise Lost, whose purpose was to justify the ways of God and explain the moral paradox of evil. This thrilling mystery brings to light Milton's understanding of Pauline Theology and Mosaic Law and incorporates new evidence to explain how Milton could have learned complex Talmudic Tracts and Hebraic interpretations when there were no Jews in England to have mentored him. In this historically accurate book, Libin uncovers the true meaning of Milton's epic poem through Jewish eyes and determines how Milton justifies the ways of God to man.
Synopsis
Keith Jessup is a PhD student at Oxford University completing his studies in early English literature. One of his professors has for years been searching for a 17th-century manuscript written by John Milton that purportedly addresses one of the major questions in English literature: the true meaning of Paradise Lost. When this professor fails to arrive to deliver a lecture disclosing the contents of the long-sought Milton Manuscript, Keith begins to worry—and rightfully so, for he soon discovers that his professor is dead. In spite of warnings that there may be those willing to do anything to prevent its discovery, Keith resolves to take up his professors quest and find the manuscript. As he soon discovers, however, his professors death was no simple accident, and Keiths scholarly hunt of truth puts him and Joanne, the woman he loves, in great peril. Brimming with intrigue, mystery, and suspense, this tale of literature, forgery, and religious conspiracy thrillingly exposes the enigma behind Miltons epic poem.
Synopsis
An Oxford student’s investigation into his professor’s death unveils Milton’s hidden meaning of
Paradise Lost amidst a trail of conspiracy and murder. Many are calling
The Mystery of the Milton Manuscript the "Jewish
Da Vinci Code." Is it possible that John Milton’s epic poem,
Paradise Lost, the most celebrated poem of English and Christian Literature, is based on Jewish principles? Brimming with intrigue, mystery, and suspense, this new book is a tale of literature, forgery, and religious conspiracy that thrillingly exposes the enigma behind
Paradise Lost, whose purpose was to justify the ways of God and explain the moral paradox of evil. This thrilling mystery brings to light Milton’s understanding of Pauline Theology and Mosaic Law and incorporates new evidence to explain how Milton could have learned complex Talmudic Tracts and Hebraic interpretations when there were no Jews in England to have mentored him. In this historically accurate book, Libin uncovers the true meaning of Milton’s epic poem through Jewish eyes and determines how Milton justifies the ways of God to man.
About the Author
Barry Libin is a periodontist and a medical researcher. He is also an author, a composer, a playwright, and a lyricist who has written the play Triangle, which tells the story of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire; completed the libretto, score, and lyrics for the forthcoming musical The Fiftieth Floor!; and contributed lyrics to “Bring Them Peace-A Song for Haiti,” which raised money for relief efforts after the 2010 Haitian earthquake. He lives in Westhampton Beach, New York.