In John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress, the pilgrims cannot reach the Celestial City without passing through Vanity Fair, where everything is bought and sold. In recent years there has been much analysis of commerce and consumption in Britain during the long eighteenth century, and of the dramatic expansion of popular publishing. Similarly, much has been written on the extraordinary effects of the evangelical revivals of the eighteenth century in Britain, Europe, and North America. But how did popular religious culture and the world of print interact? It is now known that religious works formed the greater part of the publishing market for most of the century. What religious books were read, and how? Who chose them? How did they get into people's hands? Vanity Fair and the Celestial City is the first book to answer these questions in detail. It explores the works written, edited, abridged, and promoted by evangelical dissenters, Methodists both Arminian and Calvinist, and Church of England evangelicals in the period 1720 to 1800. Isabel Rivers also looks back to earlier sources and forward to the continued republication of many of these works well into the nineteenth century. The first part is concerned with the publishing and distribution of religious books by commercial booksellers and not-for-profit religious societies, and the means by which readers obtained them and how they responded to what they read. The second part shows that some of the most important publications were new versions of earlier nonconformist, episcopalian, Roman Catholic, and North American works. The third part explores the main literary kinds, including annotated bibles, devotional guides, exemplary lives, and hymns. Building on many years' research into the religious literature of the period, Rivers discusses over two hundred writers and provides detailed case studies of popular and influential works.

Were all idol-worshippers at heartputting loves, desires, and expectations ahead of God. But theres good news! Elyse shows us how we can identify our idols and battle besetting sins.

The most trusted study guide to learning The Pilgrim’s Progress! Understanding the The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan can be difficult and confusing at times. Not so with The Pilgrim’s Progress Study Guide! This comprehensive Bible study workbook will guide you through Bunyan’s masterful use of metaphors helping you better understand key concepts, supporting Bible passages, and the relevance to our world today. The story chronicles the epic adventure of a man named Christian who leaves his home in the City of Destruction and begins a life-long quest to the Celestial City. Set against the backdrop of a hazardous journey, this powerful drama unfolds as Christian’s adventures lead him into fascinating lands and encounters with interesting people who either help or hinder his progress along a narrow way. With a gallery of memorable characters and visits to colorful places, Bunyan’s allegorical narrative describes one man's extraordinary adventure on his journey to faith. Designed to be used alongside The Pilgrim’s Progress: A Readable Modern-Day Version of John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, each chapter, sub section, and study question examines Bunyan’s allegorical narrative to tell his powerful presentation of what it means to follow the narrow way of Christian salvation. This complete Bible study experience is perfect for book clubs, church groups, and independent study. Detailed character sketches and an easy-to-read book summary provide deep insights into each character and place in the book. To help with those more difficult discussion questions, a complete Answer Guide and Scripture Reference Guide are available for free online. The Pilgrim’s Progress Study Guide includes: - Twelve sessions of study - Comprehensive Bible study workbook with studies for each week - Complete character sketches and summaries to go deeper - Bible study questions that are ideal for group discussion - Answer Guide for all questions and Scripture Reference Guide available for free online - Perfect for book clubs, small groups, or individual Bible study - Available in print or e-book formats Explore the allegories, meanings, and symbols behind this timeless classic that has challenged and encouraged believers for centuries. There's no better tool for making that happen than with The Pilgrim’s Progress Study Guide! Frequently Asked Questions: What book version should I use with the study? Although, there are many versions of this Bunyan classic, The Pilgrim’s Progress: A Readable Modern-Day Version of John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress is the only book that is made specifically for this study. Each chapter, sub section, and study question are designed to be used in conjunction with each other. Other books will feel drastically different and not match up with the study questions and format of this study. How long is the study? The study is 12 weeks but can easily be reformatted based on your schedule. Does each person in the study need their own book? Yes. It’s most helpful for learning purposes if each person has their own study guide. However, couples might find it convenient to share the actual book. Is there much homework? The only homework is to read one chapter each week and answer corresponding discussion questions prior to class. Can anyone lead the study? Absolutely! The study is created in a discussion format allowing leaders to simply guide participants through each study question at weekly meetings. Can I get access to the answers for each discussion question? Yes. The answers for each discussion question are available for free online!

Helen L. Taylor took John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress and simplified the vocabulary and concepts for young readers while keeping the storyline intact. The result was a classic in itself, which has now sold over 600,000 copies. It's both a simple adventure story and a profound allegory of the Christian journey through life, a delightful read with a message kids ages 6 to 12 can understand and remember. A new look and fresh illustrations for today's children enlivens the journey to the Celestial City.

Thackeray's most representative novel - a picture of society on a broad scale, with Becky Sharp, the adventuress, a principal character. Includes a famous account of the Battle of Waterloo. First published in 1848.