This review is a bit unusual. Typically a book review focuses primarily on the textual content. In this case, however, if you're considering a purchase, the content is already a given - it's the Bible! The value of this edition rests largely on its formatting and binding, although I will give some attention to the content, as well.

The translation used for this particular Bible is the New King James Version (NKJV). I was thrilled to see Cambridge begin to print this translation, as the NKJV is my personal favorite for study. It is a "formal equivalency" translation (meaning it is translated essentially word-for-word, rather than thought-for-thought) with a high level of accuracy. It is the only modern translation I'm aware of which uses the same textual basis as the KJV. The NKJV, however, avoids the unfamiliar "thee" and "thou." It replaces other archaic words with words in current use (which not only increases understanding, but decreases misunderstanding) and, in a few cases, gives a more specific or more accurate translation. Words which have been added by the translators for the sake of English text flow are italicized so they're easy to spot. Readers who dislike the triquetra will be glad to hear that it does not appear on, or in, this edition.

If you're looking for a Bible with "study notes," this is not the one you want. If, however, you are looking for a Bible suitable for personal study, this one is perfect. The center column contains textual notes and cross-references, but there are no commentary-style notes to distract from or influence your studies; the text is simply permitted to speak for itself. The wide margins (approx. 1-1/4" lower and outer, approx. 3/4" upper and inner) allow plenty of space for note-taking. The paper is a bit thicker than standard Bible paper, as well, to decrease the chance of bleed-through. I usually take notes with a pencil, myself, but a standard ballpoint pen seems to work fine on these pages. An additional thirty-two pages (sixteen sheets) of lined notepaper are provided at the back. These immediately follow alphabetized index space for indexing your notes (or making your own alphabetized references).

The concordance is extensive, for an in-Bible concordance, spanning a whopping one hundred sixty-four pages of three columns each! There are also sixteen pages of full-color maps. (I wish, though, that someone would create a better map of the Exodus. It seems that the same basic map has been in every Bible for the past fifty years, and it is clearly incorrect.) The maps are indexed, as well.

Aside from the Exodus map (which is no different from any other Bible), I only have two concerns with this edition. One is minor, and one will make a difference only to certain individuals. My minor issue is that this is a red-letter edition. If I were creating my "perfect Bible," I would use all black text, but the red-letter text certainly is not causing me a problem, and some readers will view it as a benefit. The other concern is that the text is a bit on the small side. It isn't what I would consider "tiny," but those with limited visual acuity (as, perhaps, those whose eyes are getting "older") will probably have some difficulty reading it.

Having looked at the content and the formatting, we now come to the binding, and, wow, I don't think I can say enough; I was oohing and ahhing before I even had it completely out of the box, the cover on this edition feels so nice! This is the softest, supplest leather I've ever felt - it is just amazing. Although this same wide-margin NKJV is also available in a hard cover if you're on a tight budget, I recommend one of the two leather options if you can possibly afford it. The durability of leather protects the precious contents better than any hardcover could, and the flexibility of leather, in my opinion, has a much better allowance for the movement of the pages, which helps the binding hold up longer. All of the Cambridge Bibles, however, are made of the highest quality, designed for longevity. The pages are sewn, not glued, so they will not fall out. This also enables the Bible to open up flat for ease of reading and note-taking.

If you're looking for a NKJV from which to study, I believe this is the best one available, hands-down. ( )