Customer Reviews

Holman Legacy Ultrathin Reference Bible Large: Holman Legacy, Ultrathin Reference, Black, Genuine Cowhide Leather, Large Print Edition,Words of Christ in Red, Bonded leather Lin

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was very slow to warm to the Holman CSB. I avoided it for the most part as I believed that there was little reason to bring out yet another modern translation--we are literally awash in a sea of translations. And, like Larry below, I loved the ESV, but was waiting for a quality edition (Crossway cannot seem to publish a quality Bible).

At some point I began including the CSB in parallel searches online and was impressed, upon doing word studies, with the sense of the translation. For example, the CSB, along with only the NJB, captures what I believe is the correct sense of John 3:16. I also like the the treatment of Romans 6:6. Occasionally, I run across phrases that are at first not pleasant to my ears, like "human race" instead of the more usual "sons of man", or "temple complex" rather than just "temple". But, I seem to quickly get used to them and I'm generally delighted with the readability of the CSB. Perhaps most striking is the clarity of the translation. It is rendered in contemporary English and is very clear as to the meaning of the text. It is not a biblical English like the ESV, but not a street English either. At any rate I'm using it more and more and am benefiting greatly from its use.

This particular edition is very nice. The leather is a fine cowhide, thinner than the Cambridge calfskin Bibles that I own, but softer as a result. The paper is fine--it could have been a little thicker, but it's better than standard Bible paper and the amount of bleed-through is acceptable to me (It is an Ultrathin after all). The print is large enough to be comfortable at 10.5 and the Bible is very nicely laid out as regards the general typography. This is the nicest edition of the HCSB to date. I highly recommend this translation and this particularly edition. I don't believe you will be disappointed.

This is a very high quality Bible. The binding and overall craftsmanship is superb. In fact, the publisher (Holman) offers a lifetime guarantee. One caveat is that the print size, at 10.5, is not really what one would consider large print, although it is quite legible. The translation itself seems to be quite readable with a fairly high level of accuracy. It appears to be a cross between the literal accuracy of the NASB and the readability of the NIV. (Note: While I personally prefer the ESV, the quality of Bibles released to date by its publisher, Crossway, has been rather disappointing, to put it mildly)."

After a couple of decades of bonded leather and cheap genuine leather Bibles bound in pigskin, Holman designed a nice affordable cowhide binding that will stand up to the wear and tear of daily use. Other publishers should take note.

I am overjoyed with this Bible. I was searching for an updated, accurate translation of the Bible. Like others I was impressed with the ESV, but could not find a high quality binding. While I realize this is not an ultimate issue when choosing a translation, it is important to me personally to enjoy "using" my Bible. I looked around a bit more and found the HCSB. What a wonderful translation! Notes on translation variations at the bottom of every page gives me a depth of understanding of the original manuscripts, and an understanding of the translation process, which I have not experienced before. I also learned that it is the first Bible to use the in depth Bible study software, Accordance, for checks and cross checks, therefore it has extreme software compatibility.

To top it off, this the the highest quality binding I have seen in years. My first Bible was a King James Version, Morrocan Leather, Leather Lined, which I received for a birthday present when I was 12 years old. It still looks and feels great! This is the only Bible I have found as an adult which can compare with that binding standard.

The one thing I wish for in this Bible is wide margins. It has opened my heart to God's word in a fresh way. I wish there was more room to write the insights it brings!

The HCSB is a good translation overall that seems to combine the readability of the NIV with some of the accuracy of the NASB. There are some places where it can be a bit colloquial in its langauge, or trendy. Matthew 5:22 uses the word "moron," which is a very poor translation for the word, which actually means calling someone wholly worthless or a fool, while a "moron" is someone who is considered to have the genetic mental capacity of about 8th grade. There are also strong points, such as capitalizing names for God, and using bold print for OT quotes in the NT. The binding and quality of the Bible itself is very good, with soft leather. The pages are a bit thin and the print a bit light though. Overall, it is a good translation with some changes that could improve it.

I just want to let people know how GREAT this Bible is! I had not heard much about the Holman CSB until I visited some Bible blogs and got educated. This is where I learned how accurate and easy to read the CSB is, and what a great Bible the Legacy Ultrathin Black Cowhide Leather edition truly is. I saw some photo's on a blog and decided to take the plunge. I almost fell out of my chair when I opened up the box on delivery day. The leather is absolutely gorgeous! The paper is smooth and bright white, and the print is exceptional! I have several high-end Bibles, but this edition is now my favorite. The cowhide cover wants to melt into your hand and the format is perfect for study, plus easy on the eyes. The quality of this product is even better than a $200.00 Allen Bible I own. In addition, the Bible came to me a day earlier than estimated! The shipping service from Amazon was exceptional. By the way, the slim profile makes for easy handling and transporting.
I can hardly believe the quality for such a low price! Don't hesitate folks, buy one asap. You won't be sorry.

This Bible is really nice. Just wish they made this model in other colors. Of course the version is the most accurate English version available today, IMHO which means exactly nothing. But it is a very studied opinion from staying abreast of "new" versions since 1966. It is hard to beat the HCSB for background information they publish in their notes. And the quality of this model for study and daily use rates way above the average Bible. You will feel that quality the instant you pick it up, and it gets better from there on.

Aaaah! This edition makes Bible reading even more of a pleasure. Just the right size and the type is still readable. It's definitely a luxury Bible--nice leather, gold-finished pages, two marker ribbons, and more. In terms of translations, the Holman is somewhere between the NIV and the NKJ/NASB. I miss some of the beautiful language of the NKJ. Certain verses just aren't the same. For example, Psalm 23: "He restores my soul," in the NKJ becomes, "He renews my life." in the Holman. Sigh.

I would normally wait longer to write a review on something but I have been researching this particular Bible for quite a while. The moment I opened it I knew what people had said in reviews about the Bible, its binding and its flexibility were right on. I also do not have any problem with the slight bleed through on the pages but then, they're very thin - nor do I fault the type size. When I look at something this nice it causes me to wonder why I have spent 6 or 7 times this much on Bibles over the years. This will be the one I will treasure until the end of my time. If you're even slightly interested and can, don't delay!

This Bible and CSB translation are both pleasant surprises, I am a big fan of the ESV but find myself reading from this one more and more. It isn't as literal but its closer than I had first thought. It is also a finely crafted and well worth the price. I am considering getting another.