Rating: 
Summary: Poorly bound....
Review: The ESV is just another ho hum version of God's Word. Stick with the KJV or NASB. Further, the binding is very poor quality. I have the NT leatherbound and is very cheaply done for the price I paid.
Rating: 
Summary: A Most Impressive Bible
Review: The reviewer "Enzor from Taylorville" is right on the money with his comments. The ESV is an excellent Bible for in-depth study. However, unlike some word-for-word type of translations, it is much easier to read. This may or may not be a version for fast reading devotionals, but there are plenty of reviews about the English Standard Version of the Bible to be found elsewhere on the internet.I ordered...the Black Premium Calfskin edition of this Bible, and I can whole-heartedly recommend this Bible without reservation. The print type is large and readable, the margins are large, and the binding appears to be very durable. The calfskin cover is soft as butter, yet very durable. Somehow, the paper used in this Bible appears to be much thicker/more solid than previous versions of Crossway's ESV Bible...meaning, when reading a page in this Bible, you don't have the distraction of words printed on the back side of the page showing through. Overall, an excellent quality Bible. Congratulations to Crossway...and well worth the money. This Bible should last a lifetime and would make a great keepsake gift.
Rating:
Summary: Choice Among Translations
Review: This is my choice among English translations today. It is more conservative than the RSV, more literal than the NIV, and more readable than the NASB. The Old Testament narratives are very well done and have been a joy to read. I've read through the New Testament several times and continue to enjoy it. I've also found it a good translation for preaching and have encouraged my congregation to get one. With many Evangelical authors and pastors going to ESV (John Piper, Kent Hughes, C. J. Mahaney), I have hopes that it will become the standard translation for English speaking people.
Rating: 
Summary: Not as Literal as you been told
Review: When I opened the box of the Heirloom ESV I was delightfully stunned at the quality and beauty of this bible. It has the highest quality leather in a bible that I have ever seen. It is even better than Cambridge's goatskin models. I can't wait to show it off to some of my minister friends. I read just about every review on the web I could find about the ESV most were favorable. However, there is a very detailed, academic review by Dr. Rodney Decker of the Baptist Bible Seminary ["The ESV NT: A Review Article"] on the web that everyone should consult before purchasing this bible. Dr. Decker is a NIV user so take this into consideration before making your decision. He does, however, bring out a number of very good observations: (1) the ESV is not nearly as literal as the NASB and is a mixture of formal and dynamic equivalence translation methods, (2) the ESV does include some "inclusive language," (3) and the current sales of the ESV are very low. The NASB is still the king and I will continue to use it as my primary bible translation. The ESV will be used as a reference. If you are a NIV user, then the switch to the ESV will be painless and beneficial. But if you are someone who wants a truer word-for-word translation then the NASB, KJV, NKJV, or Green's Literal Translation is the best choice. I personality do not like the paragraph type formatting in a bible. I find it more difficult to locate verses and more cumbersome for verse comparisons and memorization. Also, although the margins are wider, as compared to previous editions, there is not enough room for serious note taking. Cambridge's Concord Wide Margin KJV or In Touch Mininstry's NASB or better examples.
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