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Wide As the Waters: The Story of the English Bible and the Revolution It Inspired

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There is a famous Italian proverb, "Traduttore, traditore," which means, "The translator is a traitor." It is generally taken to mean that someone who translates a work betrays the work itself, as a translation cannot sufficiently convey the original. But in the case of the Bible, translation has been regarded literally as a betrayal, a betrayal against religious or civic authority that might result in the most severe of punishments. In _Wide as the Waters: The Story of the English Bible and the Revolution It Inspired_ (Simon & Schuster) Benson Bobrick tells about the dangers of this particular betrayal as the Bible was launched by various attempts over the centuries into English. The popes and monarchs were right to be worried about putting the Bible into the vernacular.

The right of the individual to make private religious inquiry may be said to have started with John Wycliffe, who was involved in translating the Bible in 1380. His work was suppressed and condemned as heretical. The offended and unforgiving church dug up his bones forty years after he died and burned them. The father of the English Bible as we know it is William Tyndale. He was a child prodigy in languages and "singularly addicted to the study of the scriptures." Influenced by the Humanists and by Luther, and taking advantage of the advent of printing by movable type, he wanted lay-people themselves to see the "process, order, and meaning of the text." He was hounded into Europe, and Henry VIII put watches on English ports to ensure his dangerous book did not sully their shores. Tyndale lived a hunted life in Europe, was betrayed and captured in Antwerp, tried for heresy, and strangled and burned.

Bobrick, of course, explains much about the formation of the King James Version by fifty distinguished scholars, and he gives examples of the evolution of the Bible, with the KJV shining admirably in comparison to its predecessors. Although the story of how we came to have an English Bible is a fascinating one, Bobrick's main thesis is that a popular Bible changed the way everyone regarded kings, popes, and governments. Removed from the clutches of the clergy, the Bible became the instruction for any individual who cared to take it up and interpret it in any manner. It was not necessarily that the Bible had instruction in liberty, but being able to read it freely was a token of the importance of liberty; it wasn't especially important whether reading the Bible turned readers into Christians. Those who upheld the individual reading of scripture were those who promoted freedom of the press and who saw the conscience of the individual as the authority in all things. They thereby reduced the authority of clergy and kings. Those who could read the Bible themselves began to cite its many examples of bad kings and religious leaders when making comparisons to contemporaries. The read-it-yourself Bible was a blow for individual conscience, one which brought on a constitutional crisis in Britain and eventually spurred independence for the United States. Bobrick's well-researched and persuasive book shows that all of us, believers or not, are in debt to those who thought the Bible ought to be in everyone's hands.

Benson Bobrick was critically acclaimed for his history of the American Revolution, "Angel in the Whirlwind: The Triumph of the American Revolution". "Wide as the Waters: The Story of the English Bible and the Revolution It Inspired" is equally well written, but deals with the less well known--although nonetheless related--topic of the evolution of the various English language bibles into the linguistically glorious King James version.

This is a multilayered story which combines the chronological histories of the various biblical translations with the political and religious transformations/reformations occuring in England at the same time. Bobrick skillfully interweaves the linguistic and literary aspects of a great feat of religious publishing with the social, political, religious, and intellectual revolutions that were taking place concurrently, and convincingly shows how one area of change was inextricably connected and causally related to each of the others. The conerstone of his interpretation is the thesis that history is not a set of unrelated, individual, unconnected events or processes, but a seamless flow where all historical forces are intimately and irrevocably intertwined. While the literal "revolution" that he referres to is ultimately the American separation from Great Britain beginning in 1776, the term could equally be a reference to the development of democratic parliamentary government in England at the expense of monarchial power; or the dramatic transformation in religion in Britain that came about as a result of the schism in the Roman Catholic Church; or the social and intellectual upheaval brought about by easy access to scriptural reading in colloquial language; or, perhaps most signficantly, the simple freedom to read in your own language, uncensored and for yourself, whatever it is that you want to read. All of these things set the stage both metaphorically and concretely for the American Revolution that was shortly to follow.

This is a book which is not simply religious in context, although it makes a valuable contribution to theological history. Rather, it is foremost a history of ideas (primarily religious though they may be), and therefore also falls well within the realm of political and social history.

"Wide As The Waters", could easily be classified as a book about the evolution of The English Bible, and by extension a discussion exclusively of The Christian Faith. This presumption would greatly decrease the potential audience, and do a disservice to a remarkably readable and scholarly dissertation upon the events that produced what many consider the finest version of this book. This is not simply an explanation about The King James Bible and those that did the necessary translation. It is a sweeping view of the history of The Bible, its misuse as a political defense and weapon, and the centuries it took to bring the work to fruition. Contrary to what many believe, The King James Bible was not the first Bible in English, it was not the second, fifth, or even the tenth. Bibles that preceded it were produced in dozens of editions preceding the King James. The story of those who brought this remarkable product of scholarship to its fruition is nothing short of astounding. Whether or not your Faith coincides with The Bible, or whether you enjoy excellent dispassionate History, this book is a brilliant work, penned by the inspired Historian Benson Bobrick.

The variety of interests that sought to produce the definitive English translation was a varied group. There were Kings, Queens, Popes, and dozens of others that would eventually contribute to the final product. At one point The Catholic Church was so fragmented that it had no less than 3 Popes claiming St. Peter's Throne simultaneously. These same people in power either encouraged or caused the martyrdom of men like John Wycliffe, William Tyndale, and Miles Coverdale. Henry VIII, Edward IV, Mary Tudor, and Elizabeth I, were just some of the memorable monarchs in the drama.

The greatest impact was the knowledge that was taken from the obscurity of languages known only be a few, who often would interpret the writings for their own agenda. No longer would The Bible be the hostage of Church Monopoly; it would finally be in the hands for which it was intended. While this event promoted the massive increase in books and printing, it also gave rise to individual interpretation that eventually leads to The Reformation. It will also bring to an end the Divine Right Of Kings, and other events of major Historical import.

Anyone who has looked at comparisons between the varieties of English Bibles can see how easily meaning can be changed, how entire concepts can be altered. The Author does a wonderful job of supplying enough examples of the issues the original translators faced without making the reading obscure. He demonstrates the importance of what text was to be used, Latin, Latin Vulgate, Ancient Greek, Hebrew, or Aramaic. He makes clear that rarely would any two people make identical translations whether due to style or personal agenda. It forces readers to ponder just what would be read if the ancient texts were read as intended. Instead we read a book that has been revised and edited extensively.

One portion that I greatly enjoyed were the familiar passages that the Author highlighted as some of the great English Prose that has been written. Like Shakespeare's words they remain so familiar to the ear though written in the 14th Century.

This is a remarkable work that virtually anyone can enjoy.

Whether you believe the Bible or not, Wide As the Waters is a fascinating study of the history of a book that changed the world as we know it today.

Not an overtly religious book, this study provides a unbiased look at the historical events that swirled in England as the Bible was introduced there in English and shows how the Bible and debates regarding it and its origins helped shape views regarding modern ethics, politics and law.

Don't let the subject be a deterrent. Wide as the Waters is well written and a concise, fast and enjoyable read. Regardless of your personal beliefs, this book will provide a better understanding of the modern world and the impact that these times had on it.

Wide as the Waters is the fascinating story of the struggle to produce a Bible in the English language during the Reformation era. Short biographies of John Wycliffe, William Tyndale, Miles Coverdale, et.al. are impressive because they show the strength and determination these men had. They were literally taking their lives in their hands when they dared to challenge the official Church's doctrinal line. Parallel translations included in the text demonstrate how profound doctrinal differences between Catholic and Protestant could develop over the translation (or mistranslation) of a word or two. Bobrick provides some fascinating material on the men who worked on the various translations, not only those already well known but also on the hitherto almost anonymous, such as the committee members who created the Authorized or King James Version of 1611.

As the struggle for an English Bible continued, the notion of challenging the Official Version of things spread from religious to governmental matters, and the push to reform the English Church led to the push to reform English government. That, in turn, led to the American push to end English control over the colonies. That insight alone makes the book well worth the price.

I know that more recent books have been published on the same subject, but I'm not sure if they give quite as much history on the King James Bible. "God's Secretaries" came out recently, but I believe that is focused on the writing of the KJB itself, while "Wide as the Waters" goes back to give the history of the Greek and Latin translations and, most interestingly, Wycliffe's translations and the persecutions of his followers. Just a great retelling of an interesting story.

Bobrick tells his story of the English Bible from a different perspective than most. While many are simply telling how this great translation came to be, and what events led up to it's publication, Bobrick goes on to tell what impact the vernacular Bible had on the world, tracing it's influence to the American Revolution and beyond.

Bobrick does not limit himself to the King James Bible; as the title indicates, he is telling the story of the Bible translated into English. Fittingly, he starts with John Wycliffe and the Lollards in England. Without these men and their insistance on teaching and preaching in the common language, rather than the Latin of the Church, a vernacular Bible -- in any language -- would have never come to pass.

William Tyndale comes next, with his full English translation -- the first full English translation made. Bobrick shows the dedication that this man had to the Word of God, as he fled his homeland rather than stop his translation efforts. Tyndale's translation work inspired many to follow in his footsteps.

Bobrick also makes sure to include people like Miles Coverdale, people who were responsible for English translations before the King James. Many people have forgotten that the KJV is NOT the first English Bible, or even the first that was authorized by the King. Bobrick makes sure that the people responsible for these versions do not go unrecognized.

Bobrick then makes the connection between the vernacular Bible and the American Revolution. This may make readers scrath their heads, but Bobrick presents his case well, as befits a historian whose primary field is the American Revolution era.

This book, paired with Alistair McGrath's In The Beginning, presents an outstanding resoure on the history of English language Bibles. My only problem with Bobrick's work is the tedious footnoting method that is used. I am hopeful that future editions change this to the more standard system of notation.

I read "Wide as the Waters" and Alister McGrath's "In the Beginning" back to back. As they are both new releases on the same topic, this review will be somewhat comparative.

The strength of this work is that it reads like biography. Tyndale, Coverdale, Henry VIII, Wolsey, More, Cromwell, Elizabeth I and James I are well covered. What little information about the lives of the teams of King James Version translators is also included. "Wide as the Waters" gives as much attention to the politicians involved in the religious controversies surrounding the history of the Bible in English as it does to the theologians and translators. "Wide as the Waters" paints James I to be a canny statesman and competent theologian himself whereas "In the Beginning" makes James out to be Archbishop Bancroft's compliant puppet.

One minor detail that was annoying about "Wide as the Waters" is its method of source citations. The author uses the quotes of others liberally but their attribution is placed in the back of the book and indexed only by chapter and page of the text. This made figuring out who was being quoted more cumbersome than necessary.

Where "Wide as the Waters" fails to deliver is in its final chapter. The KJV's impact on the English language, literature, religion, and political thought is not very well defined in its last chapter. The connection between the KJV and the eventual English Civil War, Glorious Revolution, and American Revolution is rather fluffy. The book's subtitle "The Story of the English Bible and the Revolution It Inspired" is simply a marketing tease not substantiated by the text.

Read "Wide as the Waters" for fun but read McGrath's "In the Beginning" for understanding.

Fascinating premise: the Bible and The New Testament, translated into vernacular language accessible to common men - English, ultimately gave the Western World the idea of equality of man, leading to the English Glorious Revolution, Democracy, and the American Revolution.

This short (297 page) history of the translation of the bible from Hebrew to Greek, Latin and, with detours through German, to English, parallels - and perhaps causes - the transformation of the rule of England from Absolute to Constitutional Monarchy.

It includes brief biographies of such giants as John Wycliffe - the first English translator - who in the late 14th century conceived the notion that scripture should be available directly to the people, without the mediation of the church, and William Tyndale, the second English translator, who building upon Wycliffe, managed wide distribution of his printed volume 100 years later. We also get nice mini-portraits of rulers as Henry VIII, Mary and Elizabeth.

As a bonus to language mavens, the book details a number of changes to the structure of English adapted from the various source languages - such as the noun-of-noun superlative structure (holy-of-holies), and the re-ordering of modifier-noun structure (God's house) to noun-of-modifier (House of God).

This is an exciting story filled with bold ideas, Church intrigue, heresies, assassination and martyrdom. It moves briskly, and connects a number of interesting dots I previously hadn't considered related.

"Wide as the Waters" is the third book I have read concerning the evolution of the Bible, the two others having been "God's Secretaries" by Nicolson and "In the Beginning" by McGrath. Each author takes a somewhat different approach to his subject matter, and I find the three by no means redundant. Rather, they help reenforce and clarify the historical facts that they share amongst themselves, and, to anyone interested in this topic, I recommend all three if time and motivation permit. If not, then I suggest that McGrath's "In the Beginning" may provide the single most readable and comprehensive history of the group.

Bobrick focuses his exploration on the persons whose contributions to the translation of the Bible into the vernacular have proved to be the most influential and memorable, and he presents them in chronological order: John Wycliff, William Tyndale, and Miles Coverdale, followed by one who, though not a translator himself, caused further translation to be made: King James, and concluding with the evolution of political and religious thought in England during the Commonwealth of Cromwell and the Glorious Revolution under William III.

Why is Bobrick's book (and Nicolson's and McGrath's books as well) worth the time and effort to read? I suggest that one of the most compelling reasons is that many Britons and Americans revere and "believe in" the King James Version of the Bible without having any knowledge or understanding of the cultural, social and political forces that brought it into being or of its many predecessor bibles. To quote George Bernard Shaw, cited in Bobrick, "To this day the common Britisher or citizen of the United States of North America accepts and worships it as a single book by a single author, the book being the Book of Books and the author being God." Only through the research and writings of historians such as Bobrick can we hope to counter such naivete with facts and historical truths, and is not the seeking of truth the ultimate goal of all education and self-improvement?

The fascinating story of the political and linguistic history behind the English translations of the Bible, including the many burnings-at-the-stake that resulted from those translations, was not taught by my public high school or even university. I am excited and pleased that Bobrick (and Nicolson and McGrath) have now given us books with which my fellow readers and I can educate ourselves and fill in some of the many gaps in our formal learning.