Rating: 
Summary: Lacks Objectivity - Good for Studying Liberal Theory
Review: Contains substantial duplicity of standards. Criticizes Wescott/Hort and others for strong bias for/against certain text types, yet he himself can hardly mention the Byzantine text without making some kind of deprecating remark. Castigates selected textual critics for subjectivism and "internal considerations," while asserting that textual criticism is less like science and more like poetry (p211), or a dog hunting fleas (p219). Fair amount of specific examples, but tends to be somewhat one-sided in interpreting some of those examples.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Read
Review: Dr. Metzger has given the reader an invaluable resource for the study of the text of the New Testament. The book is divided into three major parts. Part one begins with a detailed description of the ancient method of bookmaking. Next, Metzger lists the major Greek manuscripts and codices as well as a basic description of each. He also lists the major non-Greek witnesses (e.g. Syriac, Coptic, Latin, etc.) and discusses the role of quotations from the early church Fathers. Part two is devoted to the history of the printed editions of the Greek New Testament from the time of the Complutensian Polyglot and the Textus Receptus (the text used for the KJV) through Westcott and Hort until the present day. Part three is an instruction manual for textual criticism, including the many theories of criticism and the method of conjectural emendation. In this section, Metzger also discusses the many types of errors and deliberate changes made by the scribes. He then gives an analysis of several textually difficult passages (e.g. Mark 16 and Acts 20:28). The book also includes 16 photo plates that show selected manuscripts. A working knowledge of Greek is helpful because Metzger often cites Greek words in the text and footnotes without an English translation. If one wishes to learn the basics (and more) about textual criticism, then this is the book to buy.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Conservative Treatment
Review: Dr. Metzger's landmark encompasses a lifetime of scholarly work in the field of textual criticism and represents one of the best fundamental texts on the subject. While some have critized his method (Alexandrian and throughly influenced by Westcott and Hort), his research is impeccable and writing style emminently readable. A must for those who are being introduced to this complex and broad field of study.
Rating:
Summary: Still the best introduction !
Review: For clearness of exposition and soundness of principles, and even
correct if not beautiful typographical appearance, this is the best introduction ever to NT Textual History and Criticism.OK, the Eberhardt NESTLE book of some ninety years ago is again available and is a well thought-of German pedagogical feat of a textbook, glory to it!_ but, truly, it's also painfully outdated. So, what? It's true that the updating of the third edition isn't done in the best possible way_ but, what do we have to offer? The ALAND and ALAND handbook? Of course, it is a good repository of the latest data in the field, but a good, readable textbook it isn't_ and, by the way, it's even a little sectarian (pro Stuttgart, of course). So, I think it's on the whole better to stick to METZGER, and -for a good updating, to get the EHRMAN, HOLMES book.
Rating: 
Summary: no evidence
Review: Good historical stuff, but Metzger is full of generalizations which he just pulls out of his head. No evidence whatsover! His premise is that the Byzantine text is flawed. He then goes on to accuse the scribes which copied the Byzantine text of altering the text on a constant and regular basis. No evidence is given for these accusations other than they altered the text to make it conform to their beliefs or to make certain narratives more alike. Prove it Mr. Metzger. The manuscripts for the Critical Text of which Mr. Metzger is so fond was found in Egypt. Wake up boys and girls, that's where the Gnostic heretics lived. They had access to the egyptian manuscripts and were far more likely to alter them than a christian scribe who believed he was copying the actual words of Jesus or the apostles. The Byzantine church kept to the original teachings of Jesus and the apostles far longer than any other group. Let's give them the credit they are due.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful book
Review: If you are interested in learning how the New Testament we read today came to be -- read this book. It is a tremendous overview of the sources that have been relied on that, taken together, make up the New Testament as we now understand it. It is fascinating to read about the divergences between different versions of the scriptures and the reasons for these differences, i.e., inattentive scriveners, etc. For those who may feel uncomfortable with this I should point out that Metzger is not seeking to undermine belief in the scriptures, in fact, he is the editor of the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible. However, he at no point allows his beliefs to interfere with his objective examination of the evidence. Obviously, he believes that such an examination should not undermine belief. As he states, no fundamental tenet of Christianity is impacted by the sometimes divergent readings in ancient manuscripts. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Great book for any serious Bible student!
Review: If you're a serious Bible student, this is a must have book! Metzger & Kurt Aland are the two best greek scholars and textual critics of our time. If you are curious about those little footnotes at the bottom of your Bible that read "some ancient mss have 'in the prophets'" etc. -- look no further, this is the book for you. I would also recommend Kurt Aland's "Text of the New Testament". These two books are wonderfull together, I constantly use them as references. This book is worth it's weight in gold!! Buy it! You won't be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Great book for any serious Bible student!
Review: If you're a serious Bible student, this is a must have book! Metzger & Kurt Aland are the two best greek scholars and textual critics of our time. If you are curious about those little footnotes at the bottom of your Bible that read "some ancient mss have 'in the prophets'" etc. -- look no further, this is the book for you. I would also recommend Kurt Aland's "Text of the New Testament". These two books are wonderfull together, I constantly use them as references. This book is worth it's weight in gold!! Buy it! You won't be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Bruce makes the case.
Review: In this masterful scholarly work, Mr. Metzger has proven what Muslism have been saying for centuries - that the original text of the NT was corrupted and lost. While Metzger's view is that it is now restored (thanks to the modern methods of criticisms), there is difficulty in accepting this only because the magnitude of the corruption he meticulously exposes, has determined a reconstruction to be impossible. While others have criticized him for not giving weight to the later manuscripts, Metzger is correct in his approach to favour earlier ones, which give insight into the ongoing development of Christian Theology and Christology but also how later scribal editing and redaction have wreaked havoc with the text they were entrusted to preserve. This wonderful book makes you feel like you are THERE - back in the ancient times. It walks you through centuries of history, feeding you with information that the open-mind savours. A valuable book for years to come for both Christians and non alike.
Rating:
Summary: Bruce makes the case.
Review: In this masterful scholarly work, Mr. Metzger has proven what Muslism have been saying for centuries - that the original text of the NT was corrupted and lost. While Metzger's view is that it is now restored (thanks to the modern methods of criticisms), there is difficulty in accepting this only because the magnitude of the corruption he meticulously exposes, has determined a reconstruction to be impossible. While others have criticized him for not giving weight to the later manuscripts, Metzger is correct in his approach to favour earlier ones, which give insight into the ongoing development of Christian Theology and Christology but also how later scribal editing and redaction have wreaked havoc with the text they were entrusted to preserve. This wonderful book makes you feel like you are THERE - back in the ancient times. It walks you through centuries of history, feeding you with information that the open-mind savours. A valuable book for years to come for both Christians and non alike.
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