Comments on: HCSB: Still no basic Reference Bible… http://heissufficient.com/2007/07/16/hcsb-still-no-basic-reference-bible/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=hcsb-still-no-basic-reference-bible A personal walk in a wilderness of words Tue, 13 Mar 2012 21:07:24 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: J. Butoni http://heissufficient.com/2007/07/16/hcsb-still-no-basic-reference-bible/#comment-91 J. Butoni Tue, 11 Sep 2007 14:31:14 +0000 http://heissufficient.wordpress.com/2007/07/16/hcsb-still-no-basic-reference-bible/#comment-91 I found the HCSB to be a superior translation. I have several of them including the Compact Large Print edition. I love it. I also have the Illustrated Bible, but am most disappointed in it. It isn't a true STUDY bible. It repeats the pictures and has very little in the line of study. Would it be possible to produce a real STUDY Bible with the HCSB text, center column, footnotes, concordance, and really GOOD study notes such as is found in the NIV Study Bible or the Nelson NKJV Study Bible? I don't like the Scofield edition. I found the HCSB to be a superior translation. I have several of them including the Compact Large Print edition. I love it. I also have the Illustrated Bible, but am most disappointed in it. It isn’t a true STUDY bible. It repeats the pictures and has very little in the line of study. Would it be possible to produce a real STUDY Bible with the HCSB text, center column, footnotes, concordance, and really GOOD study notes such as is found in the NIV Study Bible or the Nelson NKJV Study Bible? I don’t like the Scofield edition.

]]> By: ElShaddai Edwards http://heissufficient.com/2007/07/16/hcsb-still-no-basic-reference-bible/#comment-88 ElShaddai Edwards Fri, 17 Aug 2007 13:05:30 +0000 http://heissufficient.wordpress.com/2007/07/16/hcsb-still-no-basic-reference-bible/#comment-88 I had the opportunity to go to Northwestern last night and surprise, there was a Giant Print Handsize HCSB - that's actually a really nice format. The text isn't as extremely large as I thought it was from the sample pages and you're right, the paper quality is quite good. Much more substantial than the TNIV XL. I also saw a similar (hand) sized TNIV that had small print, but felt good - either might be something to pick up for my work backpack, but I'm trying to avoid buying anything else until I come to a decision on which translation to use. I had the opportunity to go to Northwestern last night and surprise, there was a Giant Print Handsize HCSB – that’s actually a really nice format. The text isn’t as extremely large as I thought it was from the sample pages and you’re right, the paper quality is quite good. Much more substantial than the TNIV XL. I also saw a similar (hand) sized TNIV that had small print, but felt good – either might be something to pick up for my work backpack, but I’m trying to avoid buying anything else until I come to a decision on which translation to use.

]]> By: Gary Zimmerli http://heissufficient.com/2007/07/16/hcsb-still-no-basic-reference-bible/#comment-90 Gary Zimmerli Wed, 18 Jul 2007 15:00:40 +0000 http://heissufficient.wordpress.com/2007/07/16/hcsb-still-no-basic-reference-bible/#comment-90 That seems kinda strange. They have a number of different versions of it at Barnes & Noble here in Mankato. I've also seen it in the local Christian Bookstore, but of course they charge quite a bit more for it there. I haven't seen it yet in such places as Wal-Mart and Sam's Club, or Target. That seems kinda strange. They have a number of different versions of it at Barnes & Noble here in Mankato. I’ve also seen it in the local Christian Bookstore, but of course they charge quite a bit more for it there. I haven’t seen it yet in such places as Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club, or Target.

]]> By: ElShaddai Edwards http://heissufficient.com/2007/07/16/hcsb-still-no-basic-reference-bible/#comment-89 ElShaddai Edwards Wed, 18 Jul 2007 05:07:11 +0000 http://heissufficient.wordpress.com/2007/07/16/hcsb-still-no-basic-reference-bible/#comment-89 I stopped by the Barnes & Noble closest to my house after work to check out any HCSB editions - none, except one Illustrated Study Bible. Not sure what the deal is, but this is a hard Bible to get here in the Twin Cities! I stopped by the Barnes & Noble closest to my house after work to check out any HCSB editions – none, except one Illustrated Study Bible. Not sure what the deal is, but this is a hard Bible to get here in the Twin Cities!

]]> By: ElShaddai Edwards http://heissufficient.com/2007/07/16/hcsb-still-no-basic-reference-bible/#comment-87 ElShaddai Edwards Tue, 17 Jul 2007 15:59:21 +0000 http://heissufficient.wordpress.com/2007/07/16/hcsb-still-no-basic-reference-bible/#comment-87 That's really good news, Gary - I have to remember your brother's advice to not judge a book until you've held it. I'll definitely have to get to a different Barnes & Noble or Borders bookstore and check out some of the other styles. Yes, it's still Northwestern Book Store; it seems they're mostly pushing the NIV, N/KJV, ESV and NLT, at least in the store by me. Lots of other translations available, but in a limited number of editions. Hard to know if that's a store decision or the result of publishers' promotional funds. Very familiar with the latter from my days of working for a software company and stocking product in retail stores like Best Buy... ElShaddai That’s really good news, Gary – I have to remember your brother’s advice to not judge a book until you’ve held it. I’ll definitely have to get to a different Barnes & Noble or Borders bookstore and check out some of the other styles.

Yes, it’s still Northwestern Book Store; it seems they’re mostly pushing the NIV, N/KJV, ESV and NLT, at least in the store by me. Lots of other translations available, but in a limited number of editions. Hard to know if that’s a store decision or the result of publishers’ promotional funds. Very familiar with the latter from my days of working for a software company and stocking product in retail stores like Best Buy…

ElShaddai

]]> By: Gary Zimmerli http://heissufficient.com/2007/07/16/hcsb-still-no-basic-reference-bible/#comment-84 Gary Zimmerli Tue, 17 Jul 2007 15:46:07 +0000 http://heissufficient.wordpress.com/2007/07/16/hcsb-still-no-basic-reference-bible/#comment-84 You're probably already aware of this, ElShaddai, but Holman's "hand-size" isn't one of those little compact Bibles that you need a magnifying glass to read. It's approx. 8 1/2" by 5 1/2" and at least an inch thick. It's what most other manufacturers call "personal size". It's a size I have found very comfortable to use and carry for several years now. I always make sure I buy the "large print" or "giant print" version as well. It's much easier on the eyes. And I haven't noticed that the pages are particularly thin. But I could never use one of those personal size study Bibles you see advertised. The print is just too small! You asked about the paper quality. That is one thing that has quickly impressed me with this new Bible. The paper is thick enough that I don't end up accidentally reading the back side without turning the page! And it's smooth to the touch, and the pages don't stick together like in some Bibles I've used. For a relatively cheap Bible I'm impressed with the quality. The imitation leather cover is nearly as nice as bonded leather (in fact, I can't really tell the difference!) The only obviously cheaper item is the page edging, which is more of a bronze than gold. But that's growing on me, too. BTW, do they still call it the Northwestern Book Store up there? My co-worker said he thought they all were going by a different name now. Gary You’re probably already aware of this, ElShaddai, but Holman’s “hand-size” isn’t one of those little compact Bibles that you need a magnifying glass to read. It’s approx. 8 1/2″ by 5 1/2″ and at least an inch thick. It’s what most other manufacturers call “personal size”. It’s a size I have found very comfortable to use and carry for several years now. I always make sure I buy the “large print” or “giant print” version as well. It’s much easier on the eyes. And I haven’t noticed that the pages are particularly thin.

But I could never use one of those personal size study Bibles you see advertised. The print is just too small!

You asked about the paper quality. That is one thing that has quickly impressed me with this new Bible. The paper is thick enough that I don’t end up accidentally reading the back side without turning the page! And it’s smooth to the touch, and the pages don’t stick together like in some Bibles I’ve used. For a relatively cheap Bible I’m impressed with the quality. The imitation leather cover is nearly as nice as bonded leather (in fact, I can’t really tell the difference!) The only obviously cheaper item is the page edging, which is more of a bronze than gold. But that’s growing on me, too.

BTW, do they still call it the Northwestern Book Store up there? My co-worker said he thought they all were going by a different name now.

Gary

]]> By: ElShaddai Edwards http://heissufficient.com/2007/07/16/hcsb-still-no-basic-reference-bible/#comment-86 ElShaddai Edwards Mon, 16 Jul 2007 20:02:24 +0000 http://heissufficient.wordpress.com/2007/07/16/hcsb-still-no-basic-reference-bible/#comment-86 Good question, Gary. I guess I've imprinted on my NASB Side-Reference Bible from Foundation. A big 6x9 size, 1-2" spine width, single column text with references on the side, maybe some room to jot down notes. I'm expecting 1-3 references per verse that point to other scriptural uses of a word or phrase, topical ties, alternate translations, etc. Maybe there's a better reference tool for that type of study - I just like having everything in front of me in one book. I've never been a fan of smaller, compact, hand-size Bibles, mostly due to the thin paper that's inevitably used, so I honestly didn't even think about the HCSB in that version. I'd be interested to get your feedback on Holman's paper quality. Otherwise, the HCSB reference bibles seem to all be UltraThin slimlines with center column refs - not my favorite layout since the text columns always get squeezed - so I've just been frustrated that a "normal" size wasn't available. Now that I know there's probably not something new coming from Holman, I'll have to look around at some other Barnes & Noble stores. The one in downtown Minneapolis where I work has one Illustrated Study Bible and that's it. And Northwestern Book Store doesn't have much more than the red-letter hardback I have. ElShaddai Good question, Gary. I guess I’ve imprinted on my NASB Side-Reference Bible from Foundation. A big 6×9 size, 1-2″ spine width, single column text with references on the side, maybe some room to jot down notes. I’m expecting 1-3 references per verse that point to other scriptural uses of a word or phrase, topical ties, alternate translations, etc. Maybe there’s a better reference tool for that type of study – I just like having everything in front of me in one book.

I’ve never been a fan of smaller, compact, hand-size Bibles, mostly due to the thin paper that’s inevitably used, so I honestly didn’t even think about the HCSB in that version. I’d be interested to get your feedback on Holman’s paper quality. Otherwise, the HCSB reference bibles seem to all be UltraThin slimlines with center column refs – not my favorite layout since the text columns always get squeezed – so I’ve just been frustrated that a “normal” size wasn’t available.

Now that I know there’s probably not something new coming from Holman, I’ll have to look around at some other Barnes & Noble stores. The one in downtown Minneapolis where I work has one Illustrated Study Bible and that’s it. And Northwestern Book Store doesn’t have much more than the red-letter hardback I have.

ElShaddai

]]> By: Gary Zimmerli http://heissufficient.com/2007/07/16/hcsb-still-no-basic-reference-bible/#comment-85 Gary Zimmerli Mon, 16 Jul 2007 19:11:23 +0000 http://heissufficient.wordpress.com/2007/07/16/hcsb-still-no-basic-reference-bible/#comment-85 ElShaddai, how do you define a "reference" Bible? I bought the HCSB hand-size large print Bible this past weekend, and I find there's lots of cross-references and text notes in it, though they're not in a center column. They're end-of-paragraph and bottom-of-page, not exactly my favorite layout, but they're there. I do get the nagging feeling, though, that there should be more of them. BTW, I was pleased with the selection I found at our local Barnes & Noble. They don't have a complete inventory by any means, but it's better than most other places around here. Why, they even had several different copies of the TNIV, which is better than the local Christian Bookstore! I hope B&H continues to push the HCSB. I am very impressed with it! People need to know about this Bible! Gary ElShaddai, how do you define a “reference” Bible?
I bought the HCSB hand-size large print Bible this past weekend, and I find there’s lots of cross-references and text notes in it, though they’re not in a center column. They’re end-of-paragraph and bottom-of-page, not exactly my favorite layout, but they’re there. I do get the nagging feeling, though, that there should be more of them.

BTW, I was pleased with the selection I found at our local Barnes & Noble. They don’t have a complete inventory by any means, but it’s better than most other places around here. Why, they even had several different copies of the TNIV, which is better than the local Christian Bookstore!

I hope B&H continues to push the HCSB. I am very impressed with it! People need to know about this Bible!

Gary

]]>