Nearly two decades ago, Herman Melville's marked and annotated copy of John Milton's poetry first came to light. This was the most substantial and tangible evidence of the deep connection between the two authors since Henry R Pommer's speculative study on Melville and Milton was published half a century ago. This is the only book-length work covering these two writers on the market. Featuring a forward by John Bryant, this study brings together both Melville and Milton scholars in the same text, and makes available the important artistic connections between the two great authors. For Milton scholars, this study shows Milton's very vital artistic and theological 'afterlife' in America. For Melville scholars, this book shows Melville in American culture and history, his influence on studies in textuality and performivity and in theology and literary genre.