How did the political and religious radicalism of the English Revolution shape the life and literary output of John Milton? Christopher Hill, a prominent Marxist historian, utilizes a materialist framework to analyze Milton not merely as a poet, but as a political actor deeply embedded in the ideological conflicts of the seventeenth century. By situating Milton's prose and poetry within the context of the Levellers, Diggers, and other radical sects, Hill argues that Milton's work serves as a direct reflection of the revolutionary pressures of his era.

Historians and literary scholars frequently cite this work as a foundational text for understanding the intersection of radical politics and literature in the seventeenth century. While some critics note the density of the Marxist historical analysis, it remains a standard reference for those studying the political dimensions of Milton's canon.