This translation and commentary are an essential contribution to Dante's reception in English. 

Despite its reputation as the most challenging of the three canticles, the Paradiso, in Lombardo's dramatically charged version, becomes remarkably transparent. . . . As is characteristic of his previous translations, Lombardo addresses his version of Paradiso not only to readers but also to listeners and succeeds in recreating the various stages on which the Comedy was originally received and presented.