The Pilgrim's Progress: From This World to That Which Is to Come

John Bunyan, Craig John Lovik, C. J. Lovik, Mike Wimmer

Crossway Books, 2009 - Fiction - 240 pages

Thirty all-new, full-page, color illustrations and edited text for ease of reading make this the edition of John Bunyan's classic allegorical tale to own and to give.

For more than three centuries both Christians and non-Christians, young and old, have been fascinated by the characters and story of John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress: From This World to That Which Is to Come-regarded as one of the most significant works of English literature. While keeping the dignity and beauty of Bunyan's language, editor C. J. Lovik has updated words and phrases for today's readers.

This deluxe edition of Pilgrim's Progress, brought to life in forty all-new, full-page, color illustrations by award-winning illustrator Mike Wimmer, takes readers on a visually stunning journey with protagonist Christian as he seeks the Celestial City. Along the way, readers encounter Evangelist, Mr. Worldly Wisdom, the Interpreter, Hypocrisy, Watchful, Faithful, Talkative, Hopeful, Ignorance, and others. Through word and picture, readers will better understand the obstacles and encouragements they will face as they live out the Christian life this side of heaven.

About the author

John Bunyan was born in Elstow, Bedfordshire, England, in 1628. He learned to read and write at the village school and was prepared to follow his father's trade as a brazier when the English Civil War broke out in 1644 and he was drafted into the Parliamentary army. His military service brought him into contact with Oliver Cromwell's Puritan troops. Beginning in 1648, Bunyan suffered a crisis in religious faith that lasted for several years. He turned to the Nonconformist church in Bedford to sustain him during this period. His first writings were attacks against the Quakers. Then Charles II was restored to the throne and Bunyan was arrested for conducting services not in accordance with the Church of England. He spent 12 years in jail. During this time, he wrote his autobiography, Grace Abounding, in which he described his spiritual struggle and growth. During his last years in prison, Bunyan began his most famous work, The Pilgrim's Progress, a two-part allegorical tale of the character Christian and his journey to salvation. Part I was published in 1678 and Part II in 1684. The second part deals with the spiritual journey of Christian's wife and sons, as they follow in his footsteps. With its elements of the folktale tradition, The Pilgrim's Progress became popular immediately. Well into the nineteenth century it was a book known to almost every reader in England and New England, second in importance only to the Bible. So great was the book's influence that it even plays a major role in Little Woman by Louisa May Alcott. Such expressions as "the slough of despond" and "vanity fair" have become part of the English language. Bunyan's other works include The Life and Death of Mr. Badman and The Holy War. He also wrote A Book for Boys and Girls, verses on religious faith for children. Bunyan died in London on August 31, 1688. C. J. LOVIKis a successful entrepreneur and the founderof the Bible Heritage Foundation.Among his patents and creationsare the Lovik Ventriloquist characters. At the age of nine, Lovikfirst read the story of protagonist Christian's journey to theCelestial City. John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress became hisfavorite book, second only to the Bible. Noticing fewer and fewerpeople were being exposed to Bunyan's tale, Lovik set out to updatethe syntax and language to make this classic live on forgenerations to come.MIKE WIMMER has illustrated many children'sbooks, including most recently Robert Burliegh's One GiantLeap and Stealing Home. His books have received theSpur Award (2003), the NCSS/CBC Notable Children's Trade Book inthe Field of Social Studies (1990), and the Redbook Best Book(1990). C. J. LOVIKis a successful entrepreneur and the founderof the Bible Heritage Foundation.Among his patents and creationsare the Lovik Ventriloquist characters. At the age of nine, Lovikfirst read the story of protagonist Christian's journey to theCelestial City. John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress became hisfavorite book, second only to the Bible. Noticing fewer and fewerpeople were being exposed to Bunyan's tale, Lovik set out to updatethe syntax and language to make this classic live on forgenerations to come.MIKE WIMMER has illustrated many children'sbooks, including most recently Robert Burliegh's One GiantLeap and Stealing Home. His books have received theSpur Award (2003), the NCSS/CBC Notable Children's Trade Book inthe Field of Social Studies (1990), and the Redbook Best Book(1990).

Bibliographic information

• Title: The Pilgrim's Progress: From This World to That Which Is to Come; 2018 Great American Read
• Authors: John Bunyan, Craig John Lovik, C. J. Lovik, Mike Wimmer
• Editor: C. J. Lovik
• Illustrated by: Mike Wimmer
• Edition: illustrated
• Publisher: Crossway Books, 2009
• ISBN: 1433506998, 9781433506994
• Length: 240 pages
• Subjects: Fiction / Christian / Classic & Allegory; Fiction / Christian / General; Fiction / Classics; Fiction / Religious; Literary Criticism / General; Religion / Christian Education / General