"The Pilgrim's Progress is a classic of classics. If we exclude sacred texts (the Bible, the Koran, etc.), liturgical texts (Book of Common Prayer), and political books that Chairman Mao might take a dim view of your family not owning, The Pilgrim's Progress is arguably the best-selling book of all time. It has never been out of print, and has been translated into over 200 languages. If you have not read it, you cannot be said to be educated in Western letters, and if you did not read it appreciatively, we might still have our doubts"--