Tuesday, November 3, 2009

NOAB 4th Edition Update

I emailed Oxford University Press over the weekend asking if there would be multiple binding options for the NOAB 4th Edition. A customer service representative responded saying that "There will be alternate bindings available for this title when it is published." Good to hear!

I hope this means that there will be genuine leather bindings. I mentioned in the previous post's comment box that I was very close this past weekend to ordering a genuine leather study Bible. I had been debating it for the past few months, but was still undecided between the NOAB 3rd edition and the New Interpreters Study Bible. Now that the 4th edition will be coming in February, it may be wise to wait until then. Hmmm.....

8 comments:

Terri L. Coons said...

Timothy,
Thank you for reporting about this release. It is now on my amazon wishlist. I do use the NOAB 3rd Aug edition as one of my two primary bibles (CTS bible being the other) and am VERY fond of it. Some say that it is cold and not pastoral while I've found quite the opposite -- maybe because I'm not looking for someone to tell me how or what to think. However, the advantage of having (1) organized (and standardized) book introductions so I can find what I need when I need it and (2) the most up to date analyses in the notes are well worth the purchase price in my estimation. Then I can 'gift' my 3rd ed. to another inquisitive soul!

As an extremely satisfied NOAB user, I second your thoughts on waiting for 'THE standard'.

I only wish that they would expand the concordance in the back of the book. Though I don't believe that is a requirement for you based on past posts.

Theophrastus said...

I know that the descriptions say "genuine leather" for the NISB and NOAB, but I have both of these, and I find it to be closer to bonded leather than a fine leather bonding. Keep your expectations low for these bindings.

(In fact, I have to admit I don't see a reason to get a study Bible in leather -- these Bibles are necessarily thick and are usually used at the desk, rather than held open while standing, as might be done in a church setting. This leads me to conclude that hardcover bindings are actually much more practical.)

Theophrastus said...

I should clarify -- most hardcover bindings open flat much easier than most leather bindings, which is why for desk use, hardcover bindings are preferable. If one is holding a Bible in one hand (the classic "preacher" pose) then a limp leather binding is more practical.

The "lying flat" problem is exacerbated in thick books (since the textblock is tends to cling together.) This makes a soft binding (soft leather or paperback) with a thick book is awkward -- if you want a custom binding for these books, the traditional choice is a leather covered hardcover.

I don't mean to rain on your parade, but this is my honest experience having collected both leather and hardcover editions.

Timothy said...

Theophrastus,

No problem, keep bringing the rain. I appreciate the perspective.

Timothy said...

Terri,

Yeah, I am starting to warm to the necessity of a concise concordance in a good all-around study Bible. You may have swayed me on this! :)

Anonymous said...

Timothy,
I can't recall where I was this but some bookseller had a number of new Oxford editions coming out in January 2010 including--as best I recall--a large print NAB in genuine leather. Also I saw the Ignatius Study Bible New Testament is due up in mid-December--one of the online sellers had a pre-order thing up. Any news on these? Keith
BTW I see there is another Keith posting but since I'm a Luddite and don't really know what's what on the computer stuff I just post as anonymous.

Timothy said...

Keith,

Thanks for the info. I will have to take a look around the net to find those possible release dates. For some reason, I thought the Ignatius NT was coming out in the Spring, but I could be wrong.

In regards to the NAB genuine leather large print edition, that wouldn't surprise me. Hmm...

Kevin Sam said...

I don't have an NAOB and my HarperCollins NRSV is falling apart now after 5 years of use so I may consider the 4th edition NAOB if it comes out in a smyth-sewn binding. The 3rd edition is glued and I'm disappointed in glued bindings.