The King James Bible: A Short History from Tyndale to Today

Religion & Spirituality

Norton, David

Christian Books & Bibles

Cambridge University Press

A History of the Bible as Literature: Volume 1, From Antiquity to 1700

It is regarded as a truism that the King James Bible is one of the finest pieces of English prose. Yet few people are aware that the King James Bible was generally scorned or ignored as English writing for a century and a half after its publication. The reputation of this Bible is the central, most fascinating, element in a larger history, that of literary ideas of the Bible as they have come into and developed in English culture; and the first volume of David Norton's magisterial two-volume work surveys and analyses a comprehensive range of these ideas from biblical times to the end of the seventeenth century, providing a unique view of the Bible and translation.

A History of the Bible as Literature: Volume 2, From 1700 to the Present Day

Early eighteenth century literary critics thought the King James Bible had "all the disadvantages of an old prose translation." But from the 1760s on criticism became increasingly favorable. In the nineteenth century it swelled into a chorus of praise for "the noblest monument of English prose." This volume traces how that reversal of opinion came about. The story of the development of modern literary discussion of the Bible in general is told also, showing not only how criticism has shaped understanding of the Bible but how the Bible has shaped literary criticism.

The King James Bible was the result of an extraordinary effort over nearly a century to make many good English translations and turn them into what the translators called 'one principal good one, not justly to be excepted against'. David Norton traces the work of Tyndale and his successors, analyzing the translation and revisions of two representative passages. His fascinating new account follows in detail the creation of the KJB, including attention to the translators' manuscript work. He also examines previously unknown evidence such as the diary of John Bois, the only man who made notes on the translation. At the centre of the book is a thorough discussion of the first edition. The latter part of the book traces the printing and textual history of the KJB and provides a concise account of its changing scholarly and literary reputations.

David Norton has recently re-edited the King James Bible for Cambridge University and this book arises from his intensive work on that project. He reveals here how the text of the most important Bible in the English language was made, and how it was changed by printers and editors until it became the text we know today in 1769. Using material as diverse as the manuscripts of the original translators, and the results of extensive computer collation of electronically held texts, Norton has produced a scholarly edition of the King James Bible that will restore the authority of the 1611 translation. This book includes the bible's fascinating background, Norton's editorial principles and substantial lists and tables of variant readings. It will be indispensable to scholars of the English Bible, literature, and publishing history. A website with additional resources (www.cambridge.org/kjv) will be available one month prior to publication.

A Textual History of the King James Bible

History

World

A History of the English Bible as Literature

A History of the English Bible as Literature (revised and condensed from the author's acclaimed History of the Bible as Literature CUP, 1993) explores five hundred years of religious and literary ideas. At its heart is the story of how the King James Bible went from being mocked as English writing to being "unsurpassed in the entire range of literature." It studies the Bible translators, writers such as Milton and Bunyan who contributed so much to our sense of the Bible, and a fascinating range of critics and commentators.

Literature & Fiction

History & Criticism

British & Irish

A Textual History of the King James Bible and The New Cambridge Paragraph Bible 2 Volume Hardback Set

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Norton, David. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Norton, David

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Norton, David. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

The King James Bible: A Short History from Tyndale to Today

A History of the Bible as Literature: Volume 1, From Antiquity to 1700

A History of the Bible as Literature: Volume 2, From 1700 to the Present Day

The King James Bible: A Short History from Tyndale to Today

A History of the Bible as Literature: Volume 1, From Antiquity to 1700

A History of the Bible as Literature: Volume 2, From 1700 to the Present Day

A Textual History of the King James Bible

A History of the English Bible as Literature

A History of the English Bible as Literature

A Textual History of the King James Bible and The New Cambridge Paragraph Bible 2 Volume Hardback Set