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

Rating:
Summary: Excellent History Regardless Of Specific Faith
Review: "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.

Rating:
Summary: A Good Story Teller
Review: "I wish I could write non-fiction like that," is what ran though my mind after opening the book and finding it hard to put down. Having just returned from London I found the tales and yarns behind the writing and distribution of the English Bible not only factually true but exciting to read.

All early translators from Jerome to Wycliffe to Tyndale and Luther found those in control of the masses resistant to free speech, open books and the truth of scripture. Just a few anecdotes about the ways the monarchs of government and church treated their slaves/serfs shows us why they hated scripture for it led inexoribly to free thinking and free living. In the same ways that slave owners in America, Nazis, Communists and South African leaders hated scripture the brutal popes and kings burned those at the stake who dared publish it for all to read.

This book can inspire us all to speak boldly about freedom of speech and freedom of thought.

Rating:
Summary: Older version of book less American
Review: As a Canadian, I fail to see a connection between the history of the English Bible and the American Revolution. I do, however, see the history of the Bible as a process of liberation against the monopoly Churches, even today, seem to want to maintain in interpreting the Bible. Some of the greatest passages in Mr. Bobrick's book is when he discusses how enthusiastic English commoners were about reading and trying to understanding the Bible themselves. I felt for them and shared their anger and offense at clergy and others of the cloth who feel they have the authority to interpret the bible for less mortals. The greatest example the story of the English Bible shows is that churchmen are usually the last people who truly understand the Bible and it is the commoners who are light years ahead of understanding it. I am proud to be of English heritage and part of that heritage is the freedom from the Roman church and its daughters who have tried to prevent generations of people from studying the Bible for themselves knowing their own edifices are based on groundless premises.

This book is an excellent history of that liberation process, although it wanders off into that American myth of itself as the land of milk and honey and the promised land, the city on a hill, something Canadians would beg to differ on.

Rating:
Summary: The Great Story of the English Bible
Review: Benson Bobrick shows great knowledge of and respect for the English Bible and for the struggle and sacrifice that made it available to all who would wish to read it and learn from it. With the skill of a great storyteller, he gives life to this saga of the book that has had such formative influence on our culture. No reader could fail to be moved by the courage and faith of those who made it their mission to bring the Bible to the people of the English-speaking world.

Rating:
Summary: The King James Bible: Secular and Religious Reformations
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: The King James Bible: Secular and Religious Reformations
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: History told with unusual ability
Review: Benson Bobrick's books are among the very few history books that are, literally, page-turners. He manages to combine what is obviously unremitting research with an ability to put it all down on paper in not only a clear and logical way, but with a rare sense of perspective. He amazes me, frankly. As a journalist and history buff, I appreciate Bobrick more with each book he writes. "Angel in the Wind," his book prior to "Wide as the Waters," takes the reader through the tangles of the American Revolution and escorts him into the clear -- with, for me certainly -- a much greater appreciation of the times and events that changed this continent and the world. "Wide as the Waters" does the same for the Bible. Bobrick aslo has a sense of humor, as well as the talent to finely balance various accounts, blending them intelligently into a cohesive picture that spans centuries. He's an historian's historian. P.S. -- I'm not in publishing and have no vested interest -- except in reading this man's books.

Rating:
Summary: Incredible Story
Review: Bobrick squarely nails down his subject matter and all in the context of the history of the Hebrew, Greek and Latin texts. From the roots of the canonical texts, through the great changes wrought by Alexander the Great, the Roman Empire, the Renaissance, the Enlightenment, and any other Era or Character of History since then, he traces the path taken by the English Bible and the people who produced it.

The profile of Wycliffe at Oxford is very interesting. This was no sweaty-faced Elmer Gantry. Which is nice to see in our own seemingly post-Christian era, in which we see creeping efforts to replace B.C. and A.D. with B.C.E. and C.E. My guess is the Bible will hold up just fine, no matter what our calendar does.

Winston Churchill said the King James Bible was the greatest thing the English had ever done for the rest of the world. This book elaborates on that assertion in convincing detail.

One remarkable feature of this book is the author's use of measured, graceful language. Reads the same.

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding View of History's Most Influential Book
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding View of History's Most Influential Book
Review: 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.