Customer Reviews

Ignatius Catholic Bible, Revised Standard Version; Pacific Duvelle™ Compact Edition

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The "Ignatius Catholic Bible, Revised Standard Version - Compact Edition" is very well crafted, cleanly printed, leatherbound, has beautiful, gold-guilded edges, is saddle-stitched (not glued--so pages won't fall out), and is VERY compact for travel--only 7"h x 5.3"w x 1" thick. HOWEVER, there are two versions: the "Zipper Duradera" version with a zipper to keep it closed ("Ignatius Catholic Bible: Revised Standard Version, Burgundy, Zipper Duradera"); and the "Pacific Duvelle" version with a normal leather cover ("Holy Bible: Revised Standard Version, Ignatius Catholic Bible, Brown/ Tan"). Both are shipped in what appears to be the exact same box (shown in the product photos), with the exception that the version name is in small type at the bottom right corner of the cutout window through which the brown leather cover shows. As of 12/27/07, the Amazon photo is incorrect for this version, the "Pacific Duvelle."

As far as the print goes, the type is set in a 6 point font with what appear to be 4-5 point footnotes/references. That's pretty small for aging eyes and long periods of reading. Most newspapers are 9 point type or larger. So remember, this IS a COMPACT edition, and that's how they fit the entire old and new testaments into such a small package. I love the translation; the only drawback I find is that it doesn't include story headings throughout the chapters. It does however have a ribbon marker that some reviewers say is not in the zippered version.

I thought that I checked Amazon.com a few months back and maybe it wasn't on sale then when I bought my Catholic Edition RSV thinline edition. But aside from my impatience, I love this book. I carry it daily and read it a couple of times a week. Along with it I carry a 1928 BCP, A small Benedictime Rule and an Orthodox prayer book that was given to me by a friend. I am so happy that everything I just mentioned fits snugly in a small bible case. I read my prayer book daily and the readings from the RSV CE as I have time. It takes up very little space in my pack and I can take it anywhere. I do agree that the print is a bit small but that's what daylight & booklights are for. My only regret is that I paid too much somewhere else.

This is certainly a good value. We purchased this as a High School graduation present for a nephew who is on his way to collage, along with the accompanying Catechism, and we certainly were pleased with the quality. The leather cover and size are ideal for travel and the translation is to my personal liking... neither to old fashioned nor to modern. And although the print is small that is OK as it slows one down to reading the Bible in a meditative demeanor. As a matter of fact we were so pleased that we went back and ordered two more copies, one for my wife and one for myself.

This is the bible Catholics have been waiting for! It's small enough were you can take it with you everywhere you go, but the font and type set is really nice and easy to read! Plus you save money buying it! I just bought this bible at a book store for 30 bucks! Amazon has it listed for only 19.00 right now! That is a steal!

First, as regards the translation. The Revised Standard is the preferred translation of scholars. The fact that it is the Catholic Edition speaks of the RSV having been changed only in so far as is necessary to comply with the Vulgate. As a translation, this is without peer.

Second, as a book, this is gorgeous. But, of course, this is what one expects from Oxford.

Third, the price. $20. How can you go wrong?

Ignatius Catholic Bible, Revised Standard Version; Pacific Duvelle(tm) Compact Edition VS. The Revised Standard Version Catholic Bible

Customers who wish to compare the Ignatius Catholic Bible (ISBN 1586171003) with the Oxford RSV Catholic Edition (ISBN 0195288505) may be interested to know:

The Ignatius Bible (edition as mentioned above) is nearly the same as the Oxford RSV Catholic Edition (edition as mentioned above).

Differences
- The color of the Ignatius is brown, the color of the Oxford is black and blue, both have the same Pacific DuvelleTM leather cover and stitching on the front & back.

- The artistic rendering of Jesus in the Ignatius edition is "Christ the Teacher" by Br. Claude Lane, O.S.B., and Oxford's appears to be a very similar version of Pompeo Batoni's rendition of the Sacred Heart of Jesus with the addition of photographed clouds in the background (viewable here: [...] ).

- On the spine of the Ignatius edition, are the words "HOLY BIBLE", "RSV", CATHOLIC EDITION", "IGNATIUS" (words have been impressed into the leather without ink and are clearly visible). On the spine of the Oxford edition are the words "HOLY BIBLE", "RSV", "CATHOLIC EDITION", "OXFORD" (the words are in a light golden hue).

- The inside cover in the Ignatius is a dark brown, the inside cover of the Oxford is black.

- The ribbon marker in the Ignatius is a golden yellow color, Oxford's is black.

- The page containing a list of copyrights is slightly different between the two, with the Ignatius including an additional past copyright date of "Second Edition © 1971". Also, under "Printed in Korea" the Ignatius edition lists the number 3579864, and the Oxford lists 135798642.

Beyond the examples provided above, I have found no further differences between the two.

Contents
With the exception of the differences previously noted, the contents of both Bibles include: a presentation page, an artistic rendering of Christ, a baptism/Eucharist page, a confirmation/matrimony page, a family history page, a brothers & sisters/grandparents page, a list of children page, a list of grandchildren page, copyright, forward, introduction (no indication of the author), Old & New Testaments chapter page, abbreviations page, Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation from 1965, a measures and weights of the Bible pages.

Listed here are the books of he Old Testament as found in this Catholic Edition. I list these because not all Catholic Bibles list the books in the same way (some separate Bell & the Dragon, etc). The Old Testament includes: Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy Joshua (Joshue) Judges Ruth 1 Samuel (1 Kings) 2 Samuel (2 Kings) 1 Kings (3 Kings) 2 Kings (4 Kings) 1 Chronicles (1 Paralipomenon) 2 Chronicles (2 Paralipomenon) Ezra (1 Esdras) Nehemiah (2 Esdras) Tobit (Tobias) Judith Esther Job Psalms Proverbs Ecclesiastes Song of Solomon (Canticle of Canticles) The Wisdom of Solomon (Wisdom) Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) Isaiah (Isaias) Jeremiah (Jeremias) Lamentations Baruch Ezekiel (Ezechiel) Daniel Hosea (Osee) Joel Amos Obadiah (Abdias) Jonah (Jonas) Micah (Michaes) Nahum Habakkuk (Habacuc) Zephaniah (Sophonias) Haggai (Aggeus) Zechariah (Zacharias) Malachi (Malachias) 1 Maccabees (1 Machabees) 2 Machabees (2 Machabees).

The New Testament includes all of the New Testament books, with The Revelation to John also subtitled as "(The Apocalypse)".

Printed at the end of the Bible are several pages of "Prayers and Devotions of the Catholic Faith". Included are: The Sign of the Cross, The Lord's Prayer, The Glory Be (Doxology), The Apostles' Creed, Prayer to the Holy Spirit, Act of Contrition, Act of Faith, Act of Hope, Act of Love, The Divine Praises, The Stations of the Cross, Prayer Before a Crucifix, De Profundis, The Jesus Prayer, The Anima Christi, Morning Offering, Blessing Before Meals, Grace After Meals, Corporal Works of Mercy, Spiritual Works of Mercy, Guardian Angel, St. Michael the Archangel, Prayer of St. Ignatius Loyola, Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi, Serenity Prayer, An Irish Blessing Prayer, Popular Prayers for the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Hail Mary (Ave Maria), The Five Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary, The Five Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary, The Five Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary, The Five Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary, The Angelus, Queen of heaven (Regina Coeli), Hail Holy Queen (Salve Regina), and The Memorare.

The scripture contained in both editions contain very few footnotes. When listed, they are in a small font placed aside at the bottom of the page. This makes for fluid reading of God's holy word.

The appendix of each chapter of the Old Testament is located at the back of The Old Testament, and the New Testament appendix is located at the back of the New Testament. The author of the appendix comments doesn't seem to be listed on the Appendix (or Explanatory Notes) pages. However, it does mention the Vulgate additions are quoted in the Douay Version (translation). Some readers may find a few notes in the appendix controversial or agreeable, depending on their persuasion. Such examples include: Old Testament appendix note 2.4b, when referring to the account of the state of the world at the beginning: "There is nothing in these early chapters that commits us to any particular scientific view of the origins of the world or man, or that would exclude the evolution hypothesis", and the Old Testament appendix note 6.2, referring to the Bible scribe's intent: "The writer, however, may be using an old story or myth to point out the progressive degradation of mankind before the flood...".

Lastly, please take note that the Ignatius Bible (as mentioned at the beginning of the review) is the Oxford Bible with an Ignatius cover.

I received the Bible today. Here are some thoughts I have on it. Note that some of them may be premature because I haven't had the chance to travel with it and read it.

Pros:
-This Bible is beautifully bound in leather.
-The common gold tinting on the side of the pages is nice as well.
-It comes with a sewn-in ribbon bookmark.
-To my knowledge it is one of the best Catholic translations of the Bible. One of the few which is better might be the Revised Standard Version SECOND Catholic Edition.
-With the compact size, I think this Bible is great for carrying around. It's perfect for reading on-the-go. It seems better for everyday reading than having to lug around a bulky Bible.

Cons:
-The explanatory notes are at the back of the Bible and not at the bottom of each page as footnotes.(This could be a Pro for some.)
-Although I thought I had ordered the RSV SECOND Catholic Edition, I had ordered the First. This is disappointing because the Second Catholic Edition(The Ignatius Bible: Revised Standard Version - Second Catholic Edition) has the notes at the bottom of each page of the Bible.
-The font is small which is a problem to those with poor sight.
-Unlike some Bible editions, this doesn't have embed articles and add-ons. This could be good or bad for you.

Basically, if you want a Bible that doesn't distract you with flashy covers or embed articles and footnotes...if you want a beautiful portable Bible, then this is the Bible for you.

This Bible is quite nice. It feels good in the hand and is easily read. It is small enough for easy travel. This is the Bible I keep in my office and I simply love it. It can go with you anywhere. There is nothing quite as comforting as having a bible with you. I like to be able to hold it in my hands a hardcopy is so much more real and comforting to me than the computer versions.

when i first got it, it was in brand new not even a light scratch condition the bible itself was beautiful leather, gold pages, very compact easy to travel with, a gold ribbon marker, and it had a section for prayers. this was my first purchase from Amazon and im glad since it was not available in my local book store and it was cheaper buying it here saved me some money. im going to start buying from them now.

Compact, leatherbound, great typeface and layout. I bought several of these for our CCD students we all love these bibles. Will be ordering lots more.