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Stephen Greenblatt's Top Book Recommendations

Want to know what books Stephen Greenblatt recommends? We've researched interviews, social media posts, podcasts, and articles to build a comprehensive list of Stephen Greenblatt's favorite book recommendations of all time. At Shortform, we know books. Our book guides are the best in the world. Learn why.

Paradise Lost book cover1

Paradise Lost

John Milton

4.0
In Paradise, God’s favored new creations—Adam and Eve—live in bliss, untainted by sin. In another realm, Satan and his banished rebel angels collude to destroy God’s tranquil new design. Into this idyll called Earth, and the confidence of Adam and Eve, Satan will instigate the fall of man.

At the heart of this complex, audacious epic poem is a drama driven by the most recognizable human flaws. More
2

The Five Books of Moses

Robert Alter

4.5
Through a distinguished career of critical scholarship and translation, Robert Alter has equipped us to read the Hebrew Bible as a powerful, cohesive work of literature. In this landmark work, Alter's masterly translation and probing commentary combine to give contemporary readers the definitive edition of The Five Books. Winner of the PEN Center USA Literary Award for Translation and the Koret Je
3

On Genesis/A Refutation of the Manichees/The Unfinished Literal Meaning of Genesis (Works of St Augustine 1)

Saint Augustine

4.5
This volume brings these three works together for the first time in English and provides a valuable and comprehensive introduction to each one.
4

The Bible According to Mark Twain

Mark Twain, Howard G. Baetzhold, Joseph B. McCullough

4.2
In this brilliant and hilarious compilation of essays, letters, diaries, and excerpts--some never before published--Mark Twain takes on Heaven and Hell, sinners and saints and showcases his own unique approach to the Holy Scriptures including
*ADAM AND EVE'S DIVERGENT ACCOUNTS OF THEIR DOMESTIC TROUBLES
*SATAN'S TAKE ON OUR CONCEPT OF THE AFTERLIFE
*METHUSELAH'S DISCUSSION OF AN ANCIENT VERSION OF BA
5

The Symbolism of Evil

Paul Ricœur

4.3