"You will not find a finer introduction to the genius of Dante and his Divine Comedy than Wilson's book."---Fueled by a lifetime obsession with Dante, acclaimed novelist and biographer A. N. Wilson tells the astonishing story of the poet's life and passions. He shows how the political turmoil of medieval Europe, the establishment of the modern banking system, and the rise of ancient philosophy informed Dante's epic masterpiece, and explains how Beatrice has influenced our attitudes toward love and sex. Written with remarkable dexterity and penetrating insight, is a brilliant and enchanting look at the life and loves of one of literature's towering figures, and a lively introduction to .