Visual History of the English Bible, A: The Tumultuous Tale of the World's Bestselling Book (Hardcover)

~ Donald Brake (Author)
Key Phrases: King James Version, New Testament, Visual History of the English Bible (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. Not unlike an epic story, the history of the formation and translation of the Bible is filled with intrigue and adventure, heroes and knaves. Considering how much ink has been spilled about the Bible's purported meanings, it's surprising how few authors have captured the excitement of its evolution from disparate manuscripts to accepted canon to bestselling book. Brake, who is president of Multnomah College and has a Ph.D. from conservative Dallas Theological Seminary, takes the reader on a wonderful journey through several thousand years of history (though the heaviest emphasis is on the 15th century to the present), marking the people, events and crises through which the Bible has had to pass, finally emerging in our time as a versatile and vital document. Nearly every page contains an illustration, chart or other visual aid to assist the reader. Refreshingly readable and lavishly illustrated, this volume is essential to anyone wanting to understand the Bible and its hazardous progress through the ages. (Sept. 15) ""
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Review

"Brake opens up a world of information about the English Bible. I found myself repeating the exclamation, 'I didn't know that!' I have several popular books on the history of the English Bible, but none that so thoroughly addresses the historical background of those hoary tomes of the Reformation era as does Brake's."Daniel B. Wallace, executive director, Center for the Study of New Testament Manuscripts"Brake leads you on a memorable journey through royal courts filled with intrigue, rare book shops in search of treasures, and rigorous scholarly debates in the historic battle over the Bible. You will come away with a far greater appreciation for the English Bible and what countless people throughout the centuries have paid with gold, sweat, tears, and even blood to bring God's Word to us today."Paul Louis Metzger, PhD, professor of Christian Theology and Theology of Culture, Multnomah Biblical Seminary

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Baker Books (September 15, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 080101316X
• ISBN-13: 978-0801013164
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #284,510 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I never knew "history" could be so enjoyable or inspirational!, October 21, 2008

By	Jean Hilton - See all my reviews

I never knew "history" could be so enjoyable or inspirational! "Visual" is an understatement with the author's original charts, stories, photos, and illustrations. Solid documentation and explanations of views varying from the author's, I believe, would even qualify this as a textbook. Textbook sounds "stuffy" but this book is far from stuffy, using the author's life experiences in his conquest to preserve the history of the English Bible. I felt this book was comprehensive, factually accurate, but uniquely entertaining! I believe the reviews of the modern translations will be quite helpful to many readers as it was to me.

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Resource for Reference on the Bible's History, October 6, 2008

By	John R. Hellstern "Dr. John R. Hellstern, Pre... (Fort Worth, TX) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Dr. Brake's A Visual History of the English Bible, gives a clear summary of every period of the Bible since it was written. Captivating narratives bring to life the mountain-peak-persons instrumental in birthing the important periods of the Bible's history, such as Wycliffe, Luther, Tyndale and many others. Writing in a clear style, topics such as textual criticism can be clearly understood by any reader, as also in the final chapter "The People Triumph," persons will be helped in assessing what Bible translation would be best for their personal use and ministry. Abundant full-color illustrations help make the Bible's history live and you will find humor in the author's own experiences in collecting most of the Bible editions presented. Readers will be drawn into the challenges and conflicts of the Bible's history, and they will be thankful that it is so available and readable for us today.

THIS BOOK CAN SERVE AS A GREAT REFERENCE TOOL FOR PEOPLE WHO LOVE GOD'S WORD AND WANT TO KEEP AVAILABLE A VERY LIVELY AND KNOWLEDGEABLE HISTORY OF HOW IT HAS COME DOWN TO US TODAY.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very compelling read, October 10, 2009

By	Elizabeth Honeycutt (Phoenix, AZ) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have read this book several times and cannot recommend it highly enough. Dr. Brake's writing manages to be informative while remaining interesting; the book is both factual and lively. The illustrations and stories of the author's personal Bible collecting make the book worthwhile on its own. The history sections are essential reading for everyone who treasures God's Word or who just wants to know how we came to have the Bible in English as it is today. A Visual History of the English Bible is not just for seminary students or pastors; it contains very accessible and important information for today's Christians. I am happy to have a copy on my shelves and think you will be too.