Customer Reviews

James Earl Jones Reads the Bible

5 star:		(37)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

Just what does one do with so many CDs in pathetic little paper sleeves?

And when you've figured that out, just remember, the books don't begin or end on the their own CD, they're all jumbled up - so you might get a CD with the last half of Acts on it and the first few chapters of Romans for example. Not a big deal? Perhaps - until you go to find a specific chapter and realize the CD manufacturer hasn't bothered to make the tracks and the chapters number the same (which they easily could have). This "feature" makes it very hard to find the chapter you're looking for, especially if the books are jumbled up.

James Earl Jones sounds good - some odd-ball pronounciations of common biblical nameplaces - but not of great impediment to enjoyment.

I am a fan of audio books and looked forward to the terrific
combination of the majestic language of the King James New
Testament with the powerful voice of James Earl Jones. With very few changes this could have been an outstanding production.
However the producers of this audio book polluted the marriage by
introducing sentimental music throughout the readings. The music is indescribably annoying. Put bluntly, the terrible visions of the end of times do not mix well with artificial holy melodies. In addition, the CDs do not separate the chapters of the New Testament into useable divisions. I am sorry that I can not recommend this audio product.

I had read several reviews on "James Earl Jones Reads the Bible" and most of them mentioned the music--some positive, some merely accepting, and some very negative. Because I've been searching for an unembellished, undramatized reading of the Scriptures, this should have sent up a red flag to stop me from purchasing it. However, I figured with James Earl Jones' marvelous voice, how bad could it be? I would suggest you hold off buying it until they produce another one without the loud, lame and distracting music and give us the choice.

I purchased this product to listen to during a long drive (12 hours each way). However, after only 20 minutes I had to stop playing it as it was soothing me to sleep. The narrator has a very consistent, repetitous rhythm to his reading, not quite monotone, but close. When combined with the constant 'lullaby' type background music, it is very relaxing...too relaxing. I not only felt like dozing off while driving, but found that the rhythm of the speaker occassionally made it difficult to pay attention to the actual words being read. James Earl Jones is such a powerful speaker, yet unfortunately he greatly limited his dramatic range for this reading. This would be a good product to listen to at night where dozing off to a biblical reading would be a great end to the day. Just don't take it on the road!

It wasn't until I received the set- that I found out it was a recording of the New Testament only. The online description did not indicate the scope of the recording.

Luke... Chapter 1

What a treat! The Word of God and the mezmorizing voice of James Earl Jones. Some reviewers didn't like the music, but it is so soft in the background, and Mr. Jones' voice is so engrossing that you don't even notice the music (which isn't really that bad if you just focus on the reading of God's Word.). Others didn't like minor changes here and there in the King James Text. I noticed some minor variations, but Mr. Jones mostly just substituted some of the more archaic Old English words for more contemporary words... The complaints were probably from people who think that the KJV is an inspired translation of the original texts. Technically, the King James Bible (as well as any other translation, save the original autographs, which no longer exist) also contains minor variations from the ancient texts for the purpose of clarity (without changing the meaning of the text). It's still God's Word, and His message, and it's original meaning is still completely in tact, praise be to God! So, my brothers, if we are going to strain at gnats, let us do so consistantly, lest we be found guilty of swallowing camels. While the KJV is arguably one of the best translations, I would not go so far as to cannonize it. Now, if these alterations had appeared in a printed Bible, it would be another story...

If you can't read, then I probably would recommend that you look for an audio Bible that adheres more strictly to the Authorized King James Text. If this is just a suppliment to your printed Bible, and you want it so you can listen to the Bible when you're driving or something, this should do just fine. If you want a perfect translation of God's Word, I'm afraid you're just going to have to wait, and hope that there are a few copies waiting for us in heaven.

All in all, this is a great narration of the New Testament for listening to in the car, or relaxing in your recliner. It's a must have for Christians and Star Wars fans alike! It would have been sweet if they could have gotten Alex Guinness (Obi-Wan) to read the Old Testament. And maybe for our Catholic brethren, they could have had C3PO read the Apocrapha. Oh well... You can't have everything.

There are too many mistakes and omissions in this reading. Very disappointed.

I've been wanting to read the bible for years but just couldn't get through it, so I thought a CD would be perfect. This product is pretty good--James Earl Jones' voice is soothing and very easy to listen to. As for the bible itself, the beginning CDs are kinda boring but at least now I feel like I have a general idea of what it's about. I recommend this CD for people who want to learn the bible but don't have the patience or time to sit and read the whole thing. I listen to the CD while I'm doing other things so it works well for me.

I bought this set for my mother who is losing her eyesight. The CDs are easier for her to use than cassette tapes. She loves James Earl Jones' deep, clear voice. It has given her back the Bible that she had faithfully read for years.

I bought this for my ailing mother-in-law who could no longer see well enough to read the Bible. This was such a comfort for her to have in her last days. James Earl Jones has an absolutely perfect voice. The combination of the voice, the misic, and of course the Words, were a truly soothing expereience.