Rating: 
Summary: What it says...Essential (especially for newcomers)
Review:
This is a very enjoyable introductory treatment of textual criticism.
If you only have time to read one or two books on textual criticism
then I highly recommend this be one of them. The other should be
FF Bruce's The New Testament Documents: Are they Reliable?
Which is the all time introductory classic.This book is well written, and has a good section on questionable
readings in the NT, and then shows you how scholars come up with
their conclusions. He does the same thing with an extended passage
- the Johannine prologue (Jn 1:1-18) - making this book double as a
good commentary as well! You can't go wrong, buy it. Good clear writing from a man with
a high view of scripture (who by the way, is not afraid to take
some necessary jabs at the buffoonery coming from the KJV only cult). For some more introductory information, via real audio, check
out James White's website aomin(dot)org. He has some real audio
downloads where he teaches on this topic, for only a couple of
bucks. Worth it, for about 2 hours of teaching.
Rating:
Summary: What it says...Essential (especially for newcomers)
Review:
This is a very enjoyable introductory treatment of textual criticism.
If you only have time to read one or two books on textual criticism
then I highly recommend this be one of them. The other should be
FF Bruce's The New Testament Documents: Are they Reliable?
Which is the all time introductory classic. This book is well written, and has a good section on questionable
readings in the NT, and then shows you how scholars come up with
their conclusions. He does the same thing with an extended passage
- the Johannine prologue (Jn 1:1-18) - making this book double as a
good commentary as well! You can't go wrong, buy it. Good clear writing from a man with
a high view of scripture (who by the way, is not afraid to take
some necessary jabs at the buffoonery coming from the KJV only cult). For some more introductory information, via real audio, check
out James White's website aomin(dot)org. He has some real audio
downloads where he teaches on this topic, for only a couple of
bucks. Worth it, for about 2 hours of teaching.
Rating:
Summary: To be KJV or not to be
Review: Although Dr. Comfort is leaning a bit to the New Living Translation(NLT), which is understandable due to his great involvement in it's composition(it is a wonderful translation), he gives us a very good lesson in the history, strengths and errors associated with the development and translation of our older and more modern translations. I recently overheard a conversation involving the subject of Bible translations where it was said that the only and reliable translation was the KJV. This was so because his preacher had said so! Well I immediately interjected and gave this individual information on Dr. Comfort's book, and suggested that after he read it give it to his preacher. This KJV only controversy seems to be very prevalent today. Many believe this with total lack of understanding the facts. Well I say, if you want to know the facts get this book! It is very well written and quit in depth. A must read to defend all the good major translations out there today. For most all are good, with their strengths and weaknesses, even the KJV.
Rating:
Summary: Great reference!
Review: As a seminary student, I found this to be a great reference to give short inputs on the different texts and versions of the Bible. While this is a short reference for my use and experience, it is a longer and more detailed discussion than many lay-people need. But, it is not grossly overdone. Dr. Comfort gives detailed accounts describing the history of each of the texts. Chapters 5 and 6 describe the different versions of the Bible ranging from using half a page for some versions to 3-4 pages for other, more important or popular versions. Chapter 7 is dedicated to a more indepth study of John 1 and a comparison of the different versions with this passage. In the last chapter, Dr. Comfort talks about the additions and subtractions of the different versions. This is a very interesting chapter on the history behind the different revisions and why these verses differ so between versions. The book has a glossary and an index, so there is no need to worry if you do not know the difference between a manuscript and an autograph. Each of the words that are in the glossary are in bold.
So, while Dr. Comfort goes into a little more detail than may be deemed necessary for lay-people, he makes it easy for you to understand what he is writing about and why it is important.
For the theological student or Sunday school teacher, this is a great book to give insight on the different versions. It gives enough detailed information to quench most of our thirst for knowledge on the subject.
Rating: 
Summary: Shedding light on a confusing issue
Review: Bible readers of all faiths owe a debt of gratitute to Philip Comfort for making sense of the alphabet soup of modern English Bible translations (RSV, NRSV, NAB, NJB, KJV, NIV, NLT, REB, etc.). Following a scholarly discussion of the original manuscripts in the authentic languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek, etc.), Comfort examines various English translations from the King James Version (1611) up through the 20th Century. The book concludes with an enlightening "Comparative Study of Major Translations of the Prologue to the Gospel of John" and a study of "Extra Verses in the New Testament." A helpful glossary of biblical terms and an extensive bibliography are also included. The text is peppered with examples of Greek and Latin script from original manuscripts as well as a sample page from William Tyndale's 1525 translation of the New Testament. Writing from a Prostestant perspective, however, Comfort fails to accurately represent Catholic teaching about the Bible and neglects to cite the title of Pope Pius XII's 1943 encyclical, "Divino afflante Spiritu." New Bible readers looking for a general introduction (regardless of translation) to this greatest of Great Books should consult one of the many available Study Bibles or worthy commentaries on the market. Those searching for a more straightforward guide to various Bible formats (Study Bibles, Life Application Bibles, Devotional Bibles, etc.) should consult Sheeley and Nash's "Choosing a Bible: A Guide to Modern English Translations and Editions" (Abingdon Press, 1999). Comfort doesn't discuss commerical Bible formats, but instead deals primarily with issues of scholarship and interpretation. One new development that neither Comfort nor Sheeley & Nash cover is the emergence of Parallel Bibles (2 or 4 different translations printed side-by-side for comparative study). With so many different Bible translations available, Comfort's clear and thorough guide provides answers to important questions while provoking the reader to ask even more.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Overview of English Language Bible Translations
Review: Dr. Comfort presents a well-documented, interestingly written discussion of Bible translation issues in language that any interested lay reader can follow and understand. Comfort makes the essential point that ALL available versions of the Bible, in English or any other language, are made from, presumably, inperfect copies of the original Scriptures. He explains how all the major English translations were made and how translators approach the problem of rendering complex topics from one language to another. The book is filled with many excellent examples and a translation case study as well as an eight-page bibliography. I highly receommend this for any Bible student who wants a better understanding of how the greatest book ever written became available to modern English readers.
Rating:
Summary: GREAT BOOK!!!
Review: Forget the negative reviews from the KJVO's (King James Onlyists) who believe that God only speaks to us through the KJV. Dr. Comfort clearly shows that God is alive in today's Bibles. Dr. Comfort gives FACTS and does an amazing thing: He gives PROOF and EVIDENCE of those facts. You won't find that in Riplinger, Ruckman, Jones, and the multitude of KJO's on the net. If you have ever dealt with a overzealous KJV Only supporter you know they will throw out verses "missing" in modern versions (as if they had the Originals to compare them to!). Dr. Comfort explains the verses clearly and with FACTS! This is a top notch book! Read it today!
Rating:
Summary: Very Helpful
Review: I have been trying for several months to come up with a biblical translation that would help in my study of the Old and New Testaments. This book helped and allowed for a nonbiased study. I hope all Christians desiring for a nonbiased book concerning biblical study will review this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Invaluable Reference Work
Review: The King James Version Only controversy still rages in many churches throuout the world (as can be seen from some of the reviews of this book). The greatest problem in the debate seems to be that many people do not understand the process by which the eclectic text and the critical text have been assembled. This book is an attempt to clarify this process. Dr. Comfort's effort to make the finer points of modern textual criticism is a laudable effort, and will serve as a springboard to a more detailed investigatio of this topic. It is not, however, an introductory work, and many readers will have to consult other volumes to fully appreciate what Dr. Comfort states in this text. Comfort does a good job at providing an overview of the major texts that comprise the critical text that most modern translations are derived from. He also presents a brief history of the 20th century translations, giving an overview of the strengths and weaknesses of each. The real value of this book, however, lies in its treatment of the so-called "missing verses" that KJV Only advocates contend have been "removed" from the modern versions. If more people on both sides of the debate were familiar with this material, there would be less misunderstanding and namecalling. That said, the flag-waving for the New Living Translation is a little annoying. I am not as familiar with this translation as some of the others, but the continual preferance for this version over all other modern versions makes me suspect the author's motivations in writing this book.
Rating:
Summary: Invaluable Reference Work
Review: The King James Version Only controversy still rages in many churches throuout the world (as can be seen from some of the reviews of this book). The greatest problem in the debate seems to be that many people do not understand the process by which the eclectic text and the critical text have been assembled. This book is an attempt to clarify this process. Dr. Comfort's effort to make the finer points of modern textual criticism is a laudable effort, and will serve as a springboard to a more detailed investigatio of this topic. It is not, however, an introductory work, and many readers will have to consult other volumes to fully appreciate what Dr. Comfort states in this text. Comfort does a good job at providing an overview of the major texts that comprise the critical text that most modern translations are derived from. He also presents a brief history of the 20th century translations, giving an overview of the strengths and weaknesses of each. The real value of this book, however, lies in its treatment of the so-called "missing verses" that KJV Only advocates contend have been "removed" from the modern versions. If more people on both sides of the debate were familiar with this material, there would be less misunderstanding and namecalling. That said, the flag-waving for the New Living Translation is a little annoying. I am not as familiar with this translation as some of the others, but the continual preferance for this version over all other modern versions makes me suspect the author's motivations in writing this book.
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