"This new Inferno is very quickly going to become a favorite. The translation itself is unusually dynamic and returns to the poem a register of daily speech that increases clarity and energy. It never loses sight of the fact that the Inferno tells an intensely involving story. . . . This volume also offers real help to the novice reader. The synopsis printed at the beginning of each canto; the detailed commentary on each canto, at the end of the book; and, most importantly, a really excellent Introduction--all these give the reader constant and multileveled guides to the journey." --F. Regina Psaki, The Giustina Family Professor of Italian Language and Literature, University of Oregon"An attractive new alternative as both a translation and a pedagogical tool.  The volume includes an excellent introduction by Dante scholar Steven Botterill, clear and informative notes by lifelong Dantist Anthony Oldcorn, a concise bibliographical note that indicates some important sources on Dante in print and online, and a diagram of Hell; "Index of the Damned" lists characters who appear in the canticle.  The translator's preface explains Lombardo's choices as he faced the always-challenging task of rendering Dante's poetry into English.  Among the most interesting choices are the occasional use of rhyme--especially in key passages and at the end of each canto, where interlocking rhymes that mimic Dante's terza rima are consistently employed--and an emphasis on creating a version that works well as an oral presentation, following the long tradition of private, public, and theatrical readings of the poem.  The volume includes the original Italian text, thus facilitating classroom references and comparisons." --Rebecca West, University of Chicago, in Choice