My Friend Paul's Video Review of the NRSV Reference Bible w/Apocrypha (Goatskin)

CUP NRSV Reference Bible w/Apocrypha Part II: The Externals

Today I continue with my review of the NRSV Reference Bible w/Apocrypha published by Cambridge University Press.

A few days ago I decided to go back and look at some of my earliest posts on this blog, which began ten years ago.  One of those posts, a favorite of mine, was titled "Catholic Bibles Stink" and was published only a month after I started this blog.  At the time, I was dismayed by all the different quality editions that one could find in any of the major Protestant Bible translations, yet we Catholics still had so little to choose from.  I mentioned a few things in that post, including the fact that at that time the best bible I had was the late 90's version of the NRSV Reference Bible w/Apocrypha.  Ironic?  I also wished that we could see the NAB in more stylish editions.  Did that happen?  Yes, for the most part it did, thanks to publishers like the USCCB, HarperOne, and Little Rock Catholic Bible Study.  (We also got a brand new edition of the NAB Old Testament in the process.)  Yet, we are still waiting for a premium NABRE.  Then there was the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible which at that point hadn't even been released in a single volume New Testament edition yet.  Back then I joked that it had been eight years at that point since the first volume (Matthew) was released, which seemed like a really long time to wait for a completed ICSB.  Re-reading that comment seems kind of funny now.

Yet here we are in 2018, ten years later.  And while there have been some truly wonderful bibles produced in Catholic editions since then, there still really hasn't been a high-end, premium leather edition.  Which leads me back to Cambridge University Press and their newest NRSV Reference Bible w/Apocrypha.  As I stated in the first part of this review, the NRSV Reference Bible w/Apocrypha is the best premium bible on the market today that a Catholic can use and enjoy.  The content is top-notch, as I said before, but what makes this a truly fine bible are the quality materials used to create and manufacture each edition.  Let me briefly explain to you why I hold this bible in such esteem.


Binding:
We have discussed the issue of sewn versus glued bindings dozens of times on this blog.  So often I (and many of you) have come across a really cool Catholic bible edition, which unfortunately has a binding that is glued.  Now if you are looking for a bible that you will use occasionally or planning to use when travelling, a glued binding on that bible will probably do the job.  However, if you want something that will last (which means you are actually using the thing every day) then you want the best possible binding that is available.  Also, if you are shelling out a lot of money for a bible that is covered in a premium leather, like goatskin, but has only a glued binding, you are asking for a disaster.  Fortunately, every bible produced by Cambridge is sewn to the highest quality.  And it is glued.  Yes, glued.  Cambridge University Press explains: "Note that all sewn books and Bibles are also glued.  The sections are glued along the spine (usually with gauze fabric attached) to hold the book block together properly.  The glue penetrates a little between the individual sections, but the advantage of a sewn book is that the individual pages are not separately attached only be a single thin line of glue to the cover: each page is part of a folded section (a 'signature') of multiple pages; each signature is sewn to all the others; then all the signatures are glued to from a book block before being cased in the cover."  This means that a Cambridge bible is created to be used and to last.  With care, it will also open flatly on a table or in your lap.  This is the type of bible that can be handed down to your children (and children's children) because of the quality binding process which stand the test of time.


The Cover:
Previously, Cambridge only offered this edition in a black French Morocco leather, which came in varying quality.  Fortunately, this time around, they are offering the edition with the Apocrypha in goatskin, French Morroco leather, and hardback.  (If you want one without the Apocrypha, they are available in cowhide, French Morroco leather, and hardback.)  The full grain leather burgundy goatskin edition is incredibly smooth and supple.  The Cambridge goatskins are procured from "arid areas where environmental conditions are ideal for producing hides with the balance of strength and suppleness."  In comparing this cover with the other bibles I own, none of them compare to it.  The only one that would be remotely close is the Baronius Press Knox Bible that I had rebound by Leonards in a brown goatskin.  The goatskin cover from Leonards is still quite good, don't get me wrong, but the Cambridge one is of a higher level of quality.  The biggest difference between the two is that the inside cover of the Knox Bible was done in a "paste-off" process by which they glued the cover to the endpages of the book block.  The Cambridge NRSV is edge-lined, meaning "the hand-made edge-lined cover is attached to the book block by means of a flap of the inner cover material being glued to the endpapers of the book."   This goatskin edition is actually leather lined in black leather, which again increases it's softness and flexibility.  If you haven't held a bible that is leather lined, you are missing out.  Its smooth, supple, and durable.


Other Features:
Have you ever purchased a bible and realized that it didn't have ribbon markers?  While that isn't terribly unexpected when you get a hardcover or paperback edition, but when you get a leather or (even) a bonded leather bible I have always found it a bit jarring when one isn't included.  Fortunately, this isn't the case with the bibles produced by Cambridge.  The larger lectern and goatskin editions contain two ribbons, while the other leather ones contain one.  Each ribbon is produced at the appropriate length and strength so that they don't get lost in the pages or curl up after repeated use.  Those of you who pray the Liturgy of the Hours, with all the flipping between pages, know that well-produced ribbon markers are an essential.

The last final touch that sets this bible apart is the art-gilt page edges.  This edition is decorated on the edges of the paper with a metallic foil.  When it is done in an "art-gilt" style, as this one is, a "lustrous finish is created by a combination of red dye and gilt foil." The reddish tint to the metallic foil goes really well when paired with the burgundy red cover.

Final Thoughts:
If you have desired a truly high-end bible in a translation that can be utilized by Catholics, you need to order this one.  Are they expensive?  Yes.  (Although there is an introductory discount as of this posting available.)  Are the made of the highest quality of craftsmanship and care?  Absolutely.  I am convinced that there will never be a Catholic-specific edition of the bible made in premium leather and other materials until it is clear that there is a market for it.  It seems that it still remains more popular in Catholic circles to spend money on an expensive rosary or leather bound missal than the Word of God.  I am all for having nice rosaries and missals by the way, but there are plenty of options there.  With the Bible, there simply aren't many.  So, if you are still on the fence about getting one of these new Cambridge NRSVs, I'd encourage you to take a chance on one.  You will instantly see and feel the difference when you open the box for the first time.  And it also smells terrific, by the way!  :)


Additional Photos:

The CUP NRSV is 9.5′ x 7.2′ x 2′

I want to thank Cambridge University Press for providing both the goatskin and hardcover editions of the NRSV Reference Bible with Apocrypha in exchange for an honest review.  Cambridge University Press also provided a helpful catalogue which contained detailed information about the workmanship that goes into their bibles.  

CUP NRSV Reference Bible w/Apocrypha Part I: The Content

c/o Cambridge University Press

This month, Cambridge University Press (CUP) published brand new editions of their NRSV Reference Bible with Apocrypha.  Since the late 1990’s, CUP has occasionally republished this edition, with some results better than others.  The most premium one they offered came in a French Morroco leather cover.  Those of you who have either held or seen the various versions of this edition (1996,2007) know well that the quality was not always the same.  While the content (inside the cover) was the same, the leather and paper quality was not.  Now to be perfectly fair, even with that criticism, the CUP NRSVs were still the best premium editions on the market that a Catholic could utilize, due to the inclusion of the Deuterocanonical/Apocryphal books.  The only bibles that were even close to it were the Douay and Knox bibles being published by our friends at BaroniusPress.  But even Baronius Press only published hardcover bibles, which were then covered in (a very good) bonded leather.  CUP, on the other hand, was providing flexible Morroco leather editions, among others.  Skip ahead to 2018 and you will see that CUP has clearly raised the bar with the publication of these new editions of their NRSV Reference Bibles.  Over the next couple of posts I hope to share with you why I think these editions are the leading premium bibles on the market today which can be utilized by Catholics.  I will be primarily referencing the goatskin edition, though occasionally I will include the hardcover one as well.  The NRSV Reference Bible with Apocrypha is also available in French Morocco leather.

Content:

So, before going into the premium elements of the goatskin edition (the external elements so to speak), I want to begin by looking at the content which is found in the 1504 pages of this reference bible.  Over the years, I have grown to prefer having a bible without notes or commentary.  Now I am not saying that there isn’t a place for study bibles, but I have grown to desire a bible with a clean page, with only the most basic extras like textual notes and cross-references.  I also just don’t have the space to carry around a bulky bible with me to a class I am teaching.  So, then, what I am looking for is a portable, though non-compact, bible that is pleasing to read from while also containing the basic necessities for leading or taking part in a bible study or class.

c/o Cambridge University Press

The CUP NRSV Reference Bible with Apocrypha excels in meeting this need.  How so?  Well, you will find in this edition the standard (American) version of the NRSV w/apocrypha, which is a relief to those of you who dislike the Anglicised version.  The page size is 8 ½ by 6 inches, printed (and bound) in Italy by L.E.G.O SPA (Vincenza).  The print is in 9 point Swift on 37gsm white “bible” paper.  The print, itself, is sharp and very clear, with paragraph headings properly italicized to provide a good contrast with the biblical text.  Each page is “line matched” or “line on line” meaning that one line exactly matches the position of the text on the reverse side of the paper.  If you have never been aware of “line matching” I would encourage you to take out a few of your favorite bibles and compare them.  You will notice that “line matched” bibles reduce most issues relating to bleed-through, even if the paper is relatively thin.  With the center-column cross-references and the textual notes placed at the bottom, the NRSV Reference Bible with Apocrypha is a pleasure to read and teach from.

Besides the NRSV text, notes, and cross-references, you will find a presentation page, table of weight and measures, glossary, bible maps, and a map index.  The glossary is a real gem.  At over 60 pages in length, it is truly useful and in some ways serves as a mini-concordance.  The content of the glossary, which is keyed to the Deuterocanonical/Apocryphal books as well, is not theological, but provides valuable information on people, places, objects, rituals, holy days, etc…   For example, there is an incredibly helpful entry for “parable(s)” which not only gives a definition and examples from the OT, but also lists all the parables found in the Gospels according to each book.   (The same thing is done for the miracles of Jesus as well.) 

In regards to the maps, this edition contains a new set of high quality color maps, 15 of them in all.  These cover the entire biblical history, including one for the Greek kingdoms after Alexander.  Those of you who had the earlier editions of this bible will remember that there were three black and white, gazetter, maps that were meant to go with the Apocrypha section.  Fortunately, they did not get rid of them.  Instead of placing them before the 15 full color maps, they are now placed in the apocrypha section of the biblical text.  This means you have, in total, four maps dedicated to the period of biblical history associated with the Deuterocanonical books.  That is far more than pretty much every Catholic bible available today. 

In future posts, I will look at the cover materials, ribbons, gold-gilding, and binding.

I want to thank Cambridge University Press for providing both the goatskin and hardcover editions of the NRSV Reference Bible with Apocrypha in exchange for an honest review.

Preview: Cambridge NRSV Reference Bible w/Apocrypha 2018

Just a couple days ago I was delighted to receive from Cambridge Press two of their newest editions of the NRSV Reference Bible w/Apocrypha.  I know a number of you own a copy of the previous edition(s) of this bible, and I include myself in this.  In many ways, that edition was the standard for those who desired a Catholic bible (or at least one with full apocrypha) that was premium-made and contained cross-references, quality maps, and other study materials.  I am pleased to say that Cambridge has made a very good reference bible even better with their newest releases.  Available in a variety of covers, including goatskin, I am convinced that the Cambridge NRSV Reference Bible w/Apocrypha is the best premium bible, that a Catholic can use, on the market today.  Nothing is even remotely close to it.  Really. Over the next month or so, I am going to devote a series of posts looking at the goatskin edition that I have, as well has the hardcover one.  These new editions are due to be published on February 8th.

To tease you a bit, here are a few photos to whet your appetite:

Bible Rebind: Oxford Large Print NABRE

Thank you to Jason for this article detailing his rebound NABRE.  If there was ever a translation that deserved a premium edition, it would be the NABRE.

I was received into the Catholic Church in 2006. Prior to that, I was very active in a conservative Baptist denomination. As readers of this blog are all well aware, the pride that conservative Evangelicals take in their Bibles and the hearty response the resulting demand elicits from publishers lead to easy availability of all kinds of high quality Bibles.

After I entered the Church, I quickly realized things were much different on this side of the Tiber. I looked for some time for a quality Catholic Bible, ultimately settling on the (now out of print) Oxford/Ignatius RSV-CE Reader’s Edition. I used that Bible for years, but as happened with many of them, the binding began to pull apart at the pastoral epistles. Also, although that Bible was pretty good, it had no content at all other than the Ignatius Bible notes, a few prayers, Dei Verbum, and the Biblical text. It had no cross-references or other study helps, and the print was quite tiny.

A couple of years ago, I discovered this blog, and what a wonderful find it was! I actually went back to the very first post and, over several weeks, read through every post until I caught up. In the process I discovered that my frustration with the lack of quality Catholic editions of the Bible was shared by many, but I also came across reviews of some Bibles I did not know existed. And I learned of the possibility of taking a decent book block and having it rebound to produce a premium Bible. This was not an option I had really heard about before.

Through a review on this blog and through discussions with Timothy and Rolf through Facebook, I became intrigued by the Oxford NABRE Large Print. It has a genuine leather cover, which is good, but it is the same hard, durable but not very pleasant, leather found on the RSV-CE Reader’s Edition. The layout, however, is quite good. The print is 12-point, and the NABRE notes and cross-references are in the back of each book, as opposed to on the page with the biblical text. I ordered it and, after reading from it for a month or so, decided this would be my main daily reading Bible and the object of my first rebinding adventure.

From this blog and from the Facebook groups many of us frequent, I was of course familiar with Leonard’s. I considered sending this Bible to them, but I also loved the fact that a number of young men were taking on Bible rebinding as a trade and a ministry. Diego Caloca and Jeremiah Frost are two examples, and I really wanted to support them in their efforts. I corresponded with both and ultimately settled on Jeremiah (Diego was simply very busy and it was going to take longer; there were no other concerns at all with him).

A few weeks later, I had my Large Print NABRE returned to me bound in a wonderful black goatskin with four black ribbons (I wanted to be able to mark Psalms and Wisdom lit, other OT, NT Epistles, and Gospels; that tends to be how I manage my devotional reading and prayer).

I loved almost everything about it. The goatskin is some of the softest and most pleasantly aromatic leather I’ve ever encountered (with the caveat that my experience with leathers is somewhat limited). It is simply a pleasure to hold and to read from. And having a Bible that has some personally chosen features, such as the four ribbons, really enhances my feeling of attachment to it and my desire to read from it.

I did immediately have one concern. I’m not sure if this is minor or major, since I have no other experience with having a Bible rebound. As you can see, I hope, from the photos, the edges of the cover are a bit too short. This causes the edge of the endpapers to get caught in the folds of the leather. I’m not sure how serious this issue would become be over time, but it has already caused some wear on the edges of the endpaper. Beyond that, however, I was extremely pleased with Jeremiah’s work, and would recommend him to anyone else wanting to support this new generation of rebinders.

Now for the rather sad ending to my story (or latest chapter, anyway). For the past few months, I have been enjoying this Bible immensely. I love the size of the print and having the notes and cross references in the back of each book, easily available but not a distraction while reading. This was a Bible I could read from for years, at least until the NABRE NT revision is published. And then, a few days ago, I noticed the last signature in the NT was separating from the book block. I don’t think the fault for this lies with Jeremiah; this seems to be a common problem with Oxford. It is the exact same problem that plagued the RSV-CE Reader’s Editions I mentioned above. I have owned two similar, but not identical, Bibles published by Oxford, and this has happened to both of them. It’s hard to believe that’s a coincidence, even if one of them was rebound.

At this point, I am simply not sure what I’m going to do. Given what has happened, I have my doubts about the quality of the book block, but I may send it to Leonard’s to have it repaired. It certainly is one of my favorite Bibles to read from. Any advice would be appreciated!

The quest for a quality, long-lasting Catholic Bible continues!

Cambridge NRSV's Back in Stock

Cambridge University Press is known for produce high quality Bibles.  For Catholics, their edition of the NRSV Reference Bible w/ Apocrypha is one of the nicest on the market.  It had been out of print for the past year or so, but recently it has be re-printed.  I have been told by those who have purchased this edition that it has a slightly different look and feel than some of the previous printings.  (I own the previous two.)  From what I have heard, the font is bolder, the paper is decently thick, and the French Moroccan leather is better than the previous two editions.  If I am able to acquire a reveiw copy, I'll try to do a review.  Here is a review I did of the previous edition, which I consider one of my best Bibles along with the Baronius Knox.

Here is the description:

An NRSV reference edition complete with Apocrypha, for serious bible study.

This edition of the NRSV includes the Apocryphal/ Deuterocanonical Books, placed in between the Old and New Testaments.

The Bible is attractively laid out, with generous-sized type and line spacing, set in two columns neatly divided by cross- references. There are discreet section headings to break up the text and translators’ footnotes to explain textual reconstructions and variant readings

At the back of the Bible is a section comprising a glossary, maps, and tables of weights, measures and values. The glossary points to where names and places appear in the text, and includes lists of the miracles and parables as recounted in each of the Gospels.

The Bible is beautifully produced, equipped with ribbon markers and finished with head and tailbands. The pages have gilt edges and the Bible is fully sewn and bound in French Morocco leather.

> cross-references

> glossary with lists of miracles and parables

> maps relating to the Bible and Apocrypha

FEATURES OF EDITION

> Bible paper

> gilt edges

> ribbon markers

> presentation page

> cross-references

> glossary

> 15 colour maps

Rebound Didache NABRE

I am happy to share with you a few photos from Max's recent rebinding of his Didache NABRE. This may be the most premium NABRE in existence! Enjoy!  

It only took two weeks from the day I mailed it to AA Leather to the day I held the completed project in my hands. I am very happy with the final result, although there are a few things I would have liked differently. The book block was too stiff to properly curve the spine, perhaps a 1/2 yapp would have been less surprising at first. Also, I entirely forgot to specify forest green endpages.

Details of the entire project:

1) MTF Didache NABRE Bible 

2) 24K gilt edges with red dye underneath

3) Black goatskin cover with forest green leather liner (AA Leather)

Rebound RSV-2CE

Thank you to Raymond for sharing these wonderful pictures of his rebound RSV-2CE.  I love posting these rebinding projects. They are a reminder to me that it is important to continue to encourage our Catholic publishers to consider creating Catholic Bibles that can match the ones produced by our Protestant brothers and sisters, so that we don't have to always resort to getting our favorite Bible rebound.  That said, I am thankful to the fine work that is done by Leonard's and Diego. And now, here is Raymond, with a brief description with pictures:

After reading several articles on this blog about people sending in their bibles to Leonard's to be rebound, I decided to try them out for myself. I sent Leonard's my Ignatius RSV-2CE bonded leather edition. This bible is my everyday reading bible, and I wanted to do something with it so it will last me for a good long time to come. I chose a pebble grain cowhide in green, which is my favorite color. I also think the green gives it a pleasant, and unique look. I had them remove the two red ribbons and replace them with three green ribbons. Originally I had asked them to do blind imprinting, but was informed by them that it doesn't always come out well on the leather I chose, so I went with their suggestion of black instead, especially since I wanted to avoid gold and silver. I must say that the end result of the work that Leonard's did for me far exceeded my expectations. I love the way that my bible lays nice and flat now, along with the softness of the leather. I am so happy that I took a chance on having my bible rebound!

My NRSV w/ Apocrypha Compact Rebind

Over the years, I have had a few bibles rebound by the fine people at Leonard's.  Each time, I have always been extremely satisfied with the finished project.  This time around, I decided to try someone else, upon recommendation from a friend.  So, I connected with Diego Caloca, who is new to this industry.  According to Diego, he desires to begin a "Bible rebinding ministry that I believe the LORD has put on my heart. I would love to give my spare time to my brothers and sisters all over the USA."  Sounded good to me!

So, I sent Diego a brand new HarperOne NRSV w/Apocrypha compact edition.  I love the portability of this bible.  Also, it is very easy to read from, even though it is a compact.  Also, it is smyth-sewn, which is an important element of any rebind.  Diego was able to complete the project in about 3 weeks and I couldn't be happier with the results.  The formerly bonded leather bible with one blue ribbon, now is covered in lambskin leather, with a lamb cover liner, and lamb end pages.  The blue ribbon has been removed and replaced with two higher quality brown ones.  This is also the first Bible that I have had with a yapp.  On the spine are blind imprinted "Holy Bible", "NRSV", and my initials "TPM".  

I have included some pictures below.  Let me know if you have any questions.  

  

Oxford NRSV (anglicized) Pocket Edition with Apocrypha in blue calfskin

Last week I mentioned my struggle with finding a reading Bible and alluded to a different Bible that I was now planning to use.  Well, this is the one I was speaking about, and I couldn't be happier.  

The Oxford NRSV (anglicized) Pocket Edition with Apocrypha in blue calfskin from 1998 is not an easy Bible to find these days.  I was blessed that my friend Jason offered his edition to me, since it has been out of print for a while now.  The edition that Oxford offers today does not come in the same cover material, although the page-layout is similar.  Last year, I reviewed the original NRSV w/Apocrypha compact in black genuine leather from Oxford, which I claimed was one of my favorite editions.  It remains so, but this one is much better.  The leather on the '98 edition is calfskin, which has an amazing feel and look to it.  This compact, in contrast to the older edition, also opens flat. The only thing I wish was included in this edition, but was included in the original, are the Oxford Bible maps.  I have no idea why they wouldn't include them, particularly in a Bible bound in premium leather.  Oh well, nothing ever is perfect.   (By the way, the 3 brand new wine-red ribbons were added by its previous owner, which I am grateful for!)

I hope you enjoy some of these pictures:

Bible Rebind by AA Leather: Top Grain Cowhide. New Testament and Psalms, RSV Catholic Edition (by my friend Paul)

Anybody have this NJB from DLT?

It is the NJB Standard Edition Leather from Darton, Longman, and Todd in the UK.  Is it hardcover leather, like many of Bibles produced by Baronius?

Description:

The New Jerusalem Bible is recognised as one of today’s most accurate, clear and modern translations, the fruit of long collaboration between leading biblical scholars.

This Standard Edition - bound in black leather on board, golden gilt page edges, head/tail bands with two ribbons and presented in a sturdy protective slipcase - presents the New Jerusalem Bible with comprehensive material designed for serious study of the scriptures.

It contains the full Bible, with special features for in-depth study:

• Extensive Footnotes to the text, plus a table of major footnotes

• Side-margin Cross-reference system

• Full-colour Maps and Diagrams, with index

• 20-page Chronological Table, detailing the historical context of biblical events

• An Index of Persons, with verse references

• Major scholarly Introductions to all the main groupings of books

Guest Rebind: Rolf's NABRE Oxford Large Print

Thanks to reader Rolf for providing the photos and commentary on this rebind. This looks awesome!  I may have to get mine rebound.

 I bought this Oxford large print NABRE with the genuine leather cover. It is my favorite Bible for several reasons; it has a large size 12 font. The print is bold and is very clear. The notes are at the end of each book so the pages are clear and uncluttered, this makes for better and more prayerful reading. The black genuine leather cover looks good, but the leather was very thin, hard and slippery. I could not hold easily in one hand, which is how I read my Bible most of the time. I had recently considered buying (on eBay) either an Allan or a Cambridge ESV Bible in goatskin because of the lack of any similar Catholic Bibles. But I could not spend $150-$200 for a Bible that is missing 7 books, no matter how nice they are. 


So I decided to go the other route and send my new Oxford NABRE to Leonard's to be rebound. So what to rebind it with was my first question? After reviewing all their selections and recommendations for a larger size Bible, I went with the distressed walnut pebble grain cowhide. It was recommended (among others) for larger size Bibles. The distressed walnut is an extra thick cowhide, which Leonard's also listed as being very soft. This is important to me to keep it from sliding out of my hand! I ordered the cover with a semi yapp extension on the edges of the cover (looks good and protects the gold guilted page edges). The pebble grain cowhide is softer and more supple  than I thought it would be, no breaking in required. It feels like soft leather glove in the hand and despite its thickness (twice as thick as the French Morocco leather on my Cambridge NRSV), it is as supple as goatskin. 



It is amazing, and the smell! My NABRE already had one gold ribbon marker, so I had Leonard's add two burgundy ones. I kept the front cover unmarked (see photos). The rebind cost me $115 plus $16 priority mail shipping (and add what ever it cost you to send it to Leonard's). This is a Bible that I am going to use everyday at home and for my RCIA and Bible study classes, it is going to get a lot of use!

Oxford NABRE Large Print

As has been mentioned on this blog on numerous occasions, we Catholics do not have anywhere near the number of quality, premium leather Bibles that our Protestant brothers and sisters do.  I dare say that we may have a handful at best.  The NABRE, like the other Catholic translations, can be found in plenty of paperback and hardcover editions, not to mention what seems like an infinite number of pseudo and imitation leather editions.  One would think that of all the Catholic translations, the NABRE, since it sold by a number of different publishers would, but alas that is not the case.

There is, however, one company that has produced the NABRE in genuine leather, that being Oxford University Press.  In the past, they have offered genuine leather NAB's in their study bibles, compact editions, readers editions, and large print ones.  When the NABRE was published back in 2011, I was expecting the same treatment.  Except for the large print version, this has yet to happen.

As a matter of fact, I was truly looking forward to the readers edition of the NABRE, much like the NAB, but they seem to not have bothered even publishing one.  Which is a real shame, since the text was extremely readable, with the notes and cross-references delegated to the back of each biblical book.  Therefore, it was an edition that would be perfect for spiritual reading and lectio divina.

The Catholic Study Bible seems to have also received very little attention.  Not only has it not been updated in its reading guides, but it is not available in genuine leather either.  All previous editions had been, which is a real shame.

So, this leads me to the NABRE Large Print from Oxford, which is covered in a marbled genuine leather.  It isn't the smooth and flexible one that they covered the NOAB NRSV 4th Edition in, but it is actually genuine leather and not bonded.   It is almost identical to the genuine leather RSV-CE readers edition that came out about 10 years ago.  Dei Verbum is included with the biblical text and the notes/cross-references. The box it came in, as well as some sellers, mention that the full lectionary readings are included, this is not the case.  The compact NABRE and the Catholic Study Bible editions do contain all weekday and Sunday lectionary readings.

The binding is also sewn.  As you can see with the photos, the text is very readable, the notes and cross-references being placed at the back of each book.  This makes it good for prayerful reading or for teaching. The gold gild edges give it a classy look to it, as well as the gold ribbon marker.  Some people don't like the Oxford tabs, but I think they are just fine.

Overall, this may be one of the nicest NABRE bibles in print.   I would dare say that it may be the most luxurious, if I may say so, Catholic bible in print today.  The only bibles that would come would be from Baronius Press, that being either their Knox or Douay editions.  The NRSV's from HarperOne are close, but unfortunately they are often printed on super-thin paper and wrapped in cheap imitation leather.

So, if you are looking for a genuine leather Catholic Bible, without having it rebound, I'd recommend this edition.

The New English Bible, Water Buffalo Calfskin Edition

By Leighton, Guest Reviewer

When I found a hardcover edition of the New English Bible with the "Apocrypha" at a used bookstore some years ago, I picked it up because it was inexpensive (I paid less than ten dollars for it) and of high quality: it boasted a pristine dust jacket (like new, though it was a 1970 edition) and sewn signature pages (for me a necessity for a Bible, no getting around it; sorry, Benedictine Press, but for all the otherwise high quality of your Bibles, you really have to get it together in that department: I want a Bible that will last longer than I will, and glued pages don't cut it).

I spent a little time in the text and really liked most of the translation, in spite of some very unusual renderings--- some bordering on weird, and a couple even jarringly laughable (take Joshua 15:18, and Judges 1:14, for example). Most of the text flows with a certain cadence that I find exquisite. Take for example this rendering of Paul: "For if we have become incorporate with him in a death like his, we shall also be one with him in a resurrection like his. We know that the man we once were has been crucified with Christ, for the destruction of the sinful self, so that we may no longer be slaves of sin, since a dead man is no longer answerable for his sin" (Ro. 6:5-7). It gets even better, but you can read it for yourself. 

Even some of the more unusual renderings I find wonderfully fresh and lively. For instance, Matthew 5:3: "How blest are those who know their need of God," substitutes for the more literal and traditional, "Blessed are the poor in spirit." And Matthew 5:48: "There must be no limit to your goodness, as your heavenly Father's goodness knows know bounds." (Love it, but better still is the first printing of the New Jerusalem Bible, which rendered this as "you must therefore set no bounds to your love, just as your heavenly Father sets none to his.") 

What I do with really "out there" renderings in the NEB, such as the above mentioned Joshua 5:18, that seem to obscure the meaning or even make one blush, is pencil in corrections or alternate translations from the RSV or NABRE to the side of the text (for example: in Psalm 22 I penciled in the NABRE's "pierced" for the NEB's "hacked" the persecuted's hands and feet).

I am usually more of a formal equivalence kind of guy, especially because I am not versed well in the original languages. I am a catechist by trade, not a Bible scholar. I rely on accuracy. The RSV gives me a certain confidence that I find reassuring, especially since I suffer from a certain scrupulosity that probably adds to the reason I buy a used Bible almost as often as I fill the tank of the car (as my wife points out quite frequently). On a side note, for all of you who do indeed have a spouse that likes to point out your frequent Bible purchases, take heart: once when my dear wife was teasing me in front of friends about the number of volumes in my collection, our lady friend said with a shrug, "Well, a lot of women I know would say they are grateful that their husband's addiction is the collecting of Bibles!" Zing! Kapow! 

Back to the NEB, though. 

I do Bible study with the NABRE, the RSV, the NJB (for the great notes), and the NRSV (a beautiful translation, only marred, in my layman's opinion, by the overarching use of inclusive language... but admittedly, I am a guy, so maybe I fail to understand the benefit of it... I just think it obscures too much in the text). For more devotional reading and lectio divina I usually enjoy the New Jerusalem Bible (for the text, which is much more measured than the NRSV as far as inclusive language goes), the Knox, and the British CTS version of the original Jerusalem Bible. 

But the reason, to be frank, why this beautiful hardcover copy of the NEB has been sitting on the shelf in spite of my appreciation of the text is because I am a Bible snob. I just can't seem to make a Bible that doesn't have a genuine leather cover my daily go-to Bible. I want a Bible that is well worn but beautiful (I know, it is what is between the covers that matters; alas, I am a work in progress). I take good care of my Bible. I tend to pencil notes to the side rather than mark up the actual text, because I want my eyes to be free to grab onto a certain passage or word without the distraction of highlighting during lectio divina. I don't want to miss something the Lord wants to say to me. I want a high quality, genuine leather Bible that, when it gets passed down to one of my children (I don't have to worry about not having enough personal Bibles for that, in spite of our large family size!), shows my children that Dad appreciated the Bible, that he used his Bible, that it is something to be cherished all one's life. I want them to be able to see which passages I treasured most by the little stars penciled to the side, or get a glimpse into my faith life by reading the small notes and prayers in the margins and back pages, like I can gratefully do with my late grandfather's Bible. 

So, in spite of its appeal as a translation I have consulted my NEB only occasionally, and never marked in it, because it is only a hardcover. As I said, I am a Bible snob. Thus, the NEB translation has been a neglected treasure. 

Until now! 

A few days ago I was at a popular used bookstore, one of my favorite haunts on a day off, and after finding little of interest, I "just happened" to check out the rare books selection on a whim. I do this from time to time but rarely find anything of interest that isn't extremely expensive, so tend to avoid that section. As I was about to leave, I thought, "What the heck, I will take a glance." There, at the bottom of the shelf, was a golden box with the words: "The New English Bible with the Apocrypha, Bound in Water Buffalo Calfskin, semi overlapping covers, 23 carat gold edges." I grabbed it, opened the box to find a beautifully preserved leather Bible inside, anxiously opened the soft cover to find the penciled in price, and was very excited to see it was quite inexpensive. I got it for less than the cost of a couple of pizzas for my family!

I have had it less than a week but I am very pleased with it. It was printed in 1971, and other than some yellowing of the first pages, it is in great condition. I expect this edition to become my companion Bible for morning prayer, bedtime reading, and chapel time. For catechesis I will continue to lean on the RSV, NRSV, and the NABRE, but this one is a personal treasure I hope to make good use of over the years. It has its faults (what translation doesn't?), but on the dust jacket of my hardcover edition I am reminded that no less a literary figure than Walker Percy said, "It is is a beautiful job--- first rate scholarship which does not sacrifice the language." Thomas Howard, quoted there as well, spoke highly of the NEB: "The great thing to be praised, from the layman's point of view, about this translation, is the clarity and simplicity of the prose. It is an epochal achievement." And Sheldon Vanauken wrote, "What I want in a translation of the Bible is, first of all clarity of meaning and, next, easy, graceful English. The New English Bible is the best I've found in both respects." Of course, it has also been said that the Venerable Fulton Sheen enjoyed the NEB quite a lot. If it's good enough for the likes of these greats, it's good enough for me. 

Finally, borrowing the Methodist theologian Albert Outler's review on the dust jacket, I can say, "And so, it is the one I [will] keep in easy reach."