1. ESV Clarion Reference Bible, Goatskin leather, black
    Cambridge Bibles / 2011 / Genuine Leather
    Our Price$258.99 Retail Price$285.00 Save 9% ($26.01)
    4.8 out of 5 stars for ESV Clarion Reference Bible, Goatskin leather, black. View reviews of this product. 11 Reviews
    Availability: In Stock
    Stock No: WW182911
4.8 Stars Out Of 5
4.8 out of 5
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  1. Snyder's Soapbox
    Fruitland, Idaho
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: Male
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    They don't get much better than this! The Cambridge Clarion, ESV Bible in black edge-lined goatskin leather.
    January 29, 2015
    Snyder's Soapbox
    Fruitland, Idaho
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: Male
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    What qualities do you look for in a Bible? Clear print, font size, paper opacity, sewn binding, quality cover, solid translation, lifetime warranty that you probably won't have to use? Well the Cambridge Clarion, ESV Bible in black edge-lined goatskin leather has it all. I know you are probably getting tired of me giving these Cambridge Bibles such good reviews, but if they weren't simply better than the others I wouldn't. I think the other publishers might even wish I would stop reviewing Cambridge Bibles. Their publications don't look as good compared to the Cambridge Bibles. Now, I know there are plenty of good Bibles out there, but when contrasted with the outstanding ones they fall short in some areas. With Bibles I've noticed that you get what you pay for in general.

    The ESV is a solid translation from Crossway. It is not a dynamic equivalent or thought for thought translation. It is more of a formal equivalent or word for word translation. Hebrew and Greek don't have the same sentence structure and grammar as English. In translating the words are translated directly into English, but are arranged as English sentences so that we can understand them. In a dynamic equivalent the sentence or paragraph is read and studied by the team and they basically paraphrase it in English to convey the meaning in the most accurate way they can. The NIV is a dynamic equivalent. Dynamic equivalents may be easier to read, but in my opinion are by nature less precise. That is why I prefer formal equivalent translations like the ESV or NASB.

    Besides being an ESV this Bible is like Goldilocks and the baby bear's stuff. It is just right. It isn't too big, or too small. The paper isn't too thick or too thin. The print isn't too big or too small. The cover isn't too soft or too rigid. It gets just about everything right. The Clarion arrived in an easy to open cardboard box along with an REB that I will review later. Both Bibles arrived undamaged and in good condition. The Clarion was in a one piece clam-shell box. The box should be retained for storage, should you ever decide to put this Bible down for a bit to read another... I doubt that will happen. The first thing you'll notice is the smell of the leather. The next thing you'll notice is the supple, perimeter stitched, edge lined, black goatskin leather cover. If you have never owned a Bible with a cover like this, you don't know what you are missing. For durability, functionality, and comfort, you can't beat it. The cover works in concert with the sewn binding and quality paper to allow this Bible to open well and lay flat on a table or desk. It also lays flat while held in one hand. This make it a joy to read. I love that you forget you are holding something. You aren't constantly fighting the cover, the paper, or the binding. The Spine of the Clarion has, "Holy Bible" at the top. Under that is, "English Standard Version". On the bottom of the spine is, "Cambridge." They are all hot-stamped in gold. There are five small decorative hubs as well. The grain of the goatskin cover is more pebbled than a top grain cowhide. It is softer than the shiny genuine leather covers that are made from pigskin. The perimeter stitching is uniform and well done. The corners are stitched as well so you won't see the typical corner treatment.

    When you open the Bible, you'll see the end papers are glued to cover and text block so that they will be more durable. There is a simple presentation page that is made of heavier card paper. It has several blank lines on it. Then there is a Title Page. After that is the copyright page with the font size and type. It list the font as 8.75/10.5 pt. Lexicon No. 1 A (Enschede ff) We also can see from this page that this Bible is printed by Jongbloed in the Netherlands. For those of you in the know, that is a big plus. They have been doing great work for many years. One truly great feature of this Bible is the line matching utilized by Jongbloed. The lines of text are printed exactly opposite of the lines on the other side of the page so that the text isn't distractingly visible through the paper. The paper is a little off white and the black text contrasts against it nicely. It is printed clearly and uniformly throughout. The text is laid out in a single column paragraph format with the cross-references on the outside edge of the page in the margin. This layout is conducive to long sessions of uninterrupted reading. The paper is smooth. The page edges are art gilded with red under gold. I think this is a pleasing aesthetic. When the Bible is open the red shows through and while it is closed the gold is prominent.

    There are two red ribbon markers for keeping your place. Most other Bibles only give you one ribbon. It is nice to have to so you can mark your reading in the Old and New Testaments. There is a useful concordance in the end with a map index and 15 color maps printed on a heavier card paper. I like this approach better than the glossy maps as the high clay content in their paper makes them crack easier.

    With all of the features like, quality construction, quality materials, attention in design, you can tell why I love the Clarion Bibles from Cambridge. If you are in the market for a premium Bible, look no further.
  2. Reilly
    BC, Canada
    Age: Under 18
    Gender: male
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    5 star everything - And that's being stingy!
    June 15, 2013
    Reilly
    BC, Canada
    Age: Under 18
    Gender: male
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    Maybe not everyone will like it, but this is my honest review:

    The ESV Cambridge Clarion will surprise you. As for me, this Bible has effortlessly become my companion Bible, pushing aside even an Allan's Bible.

    Despite my confidence in this product, I confess that I came very close to sending it back. Why?

    First, when I opened it up, there was no "oooh!" I had been accustomed to seeing highland goatskin in the box, and this looked rather... flat. Plus, it was kind of stiff.

    Second, the paper inside seemed a little stressed, as it had never been opened.

    Third, there is a section in the middle where the pages curl.

    Four, there was a minor nick in the leather, particular to my copy.

    But, oh boy! I stuck with this thing, and it has surpassed anything I have ever had. First, I should say that while the curling paper is a minor annoyance, it decreases over time and is by no means a deal breaker.

    And now I get to the leather. As the cover breaks in, and your hand oils get into the leather, it becomes a premium. Unequaled in softness and smoothness. The printing on the front looks elegant. This is top-of-the-line calfskin. [Side note: I disagree with Mark Betrand; the black liner does compliment the brown, and looks great.]

    Some people have complained about the paper being thin; but this, I can't agree on. The paper is of the utmost highest quality in Bible manufacturing. I have a Bible from 60+ years ago with this type of paper, and it holds up perfectly. Silky to the touch, and for how thin it is, is quite opaque. I have never had a problem with bleed-through, and would not even if it was not line matched.

    Of course, the real beauty of the clarion is the text block - and for that reason, any cover option would be a terrific investment. Big, spacious, easy to read... Now I do have good eyes, so I can't speak for those who don't, but I must say: I do not have difficulty finding verses quickly, and so I take this one to church.

    Even with my minor leather blip and curling poetry section (future prints will not have this defect), this Bible is almost deserving of six stars. Springs open like a Pitt; excellent mix of portability and font size; traditional look... amazing job Cambridge. Actually, Bible makers should sue Cambridge, and they should sue themselves, because I would have spent lots of money buying other Bibles in my pursuit of the right one. But since I have this, it will be a long time until I make another purchase.

    So buy this (or another translation), use it for 3 or so weeks, and see what you think of it. You'll be hard-pressed to think of a Bible that hits all your check boxes so well. Thank you Cambridge!
  3. P Shaun
    Albany, NY
    Age: 25-34
    Gender: male
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Beautiful beyond description
    March 12, 2014
    P Shaun
    Albany, NY
    Age: 25-34
    Gender: male
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    I have, and have had, more Bibles than anyone I know because I am so picky and indecisive. The moment I opened the box to this Bible and held it I knew my search was over. This is the most beautiful, classy, and "at home" feeling Bible I have ever seen or touched. The print is perfect to read and preach from. The material is incredible to the touch. I can't see myself ever holding another Bible again.
  4. Pastor
    Lee's Summit, MO
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: male
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Love to read Scripture
    November 24, 2013
    Pastor
    Lee's Summit, MO
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: male
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    I love two things about this edition. It lays open flat and the type is very readable.

    When I read Scripture, I tend to read, re-read, meditate on the text, pray, and then look over cross-references.

    The cross-references selected for this edition are invaluable. They are a tool to help everyone see time-tested passages that are theologically sound. Very Christ-centered.

    I've used this Bible for over a year now and it's something I look forward to because the page is clean (no distractions) and the 3 1/2" single-column format makes reading move quickly.
  5. Randy A Brown
    TN
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: male
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Amazing layout
    September 2, 2012
    Randy A Brown
    TN
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: male
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    The Clarion is Cambridge's newest Bible design and is now available in the highly respected English Standard Version (ESV). The ESV Clarion continues the standard layout set by last year's KJV: it is a hand-sized Bible with a very readable black-letter text in paragraph format, has references located on the outside margin, and is available in a nice range of bindings. Unlike the KJV edition, the ESV Clarion includes headings in the text, OT quotes in verse, and a traditional concordance.

    Binding

    The binding is Smyth sewn, allowing the Bible to lay flat when opened. This edition is calfskin, which is between goatskin and calf split. Calfskin is soft, but stiffer than goatskin. The lining is paper. The cover still has a soft texture. I prefer the cover to be slightly stiff so it lays flatter when I'm holding it in one hand. The Clarion is the perfect size Bible for one-hand use. The grain of the leather is smooth and slightly pebbly.

    Text

    The translation is the 2011 English Standard Version. It is a very literal translation that is easy to read and highly respected.

    The font is a black-letter 8.75 Lexicon with 10.25 point leading (the space between the lines). It feels large for the size of the Bible. The extra space between the lines gives the text an extra readability. The font is clean and consistently dark. Readability is enhanced by placing the text on the same line as the text on the back side of the page. This keeps the white space between the lines white, making it easier on the eyes.

    The real gem of the Clarion series is the single-column, paragraph format. The ESV edition has the additional features of headings in the text, OT quotes set in offset text, and poetry set in verse format. This makes the text even more readable. I would like to see the KJV offered with these features.

    Section headings also make the text more readable. This helps break up the page into segments, allowing your eyes to see the page in smaller pieces. It also improves readability by summarizing that section of the text. Section heading also helps in scanning a chapter or book for a certain portion of text.

    Chapter numbers are printed at the top of the page and include every chapter that is found on that page. Many Bibles only include the first chapter that begins on that page, but that makes it difficult to find a chapter quickly. The Clarion layout makes it easier to find the chapters.

    References

    References are placed on the outside column and there are plenty of them. There are 18 references for Genesis 1:1. References are keyed with letters. The verse reference is printed in bold. I like this feature because it can be too difficult to find the reference if you only have the letter.

    The cross references themselves are the extensive reference system from the RV.

    Textual Notes

    There are textual notes at the bottom of the page. Textual notes are keyed with numbers. Notes include translation notes, Hebrew and Greek definitions, alternate translations, and explanatory notes.

    Paper

    The text is printed on India-paper. The paper is thinner than most Cambridge Bibles (the same as the KJV Clarion) and has slightly more ghosting than other editions, such as the Cameo or the Concord. The weight of the paper keeps the size and weight of the Bible down. For me this is a good trade-off, though many do find the ghosting annoying. For me it is still very readable. The pages tend to curl on the edges due to the thin paper.

    Concordance

    Unlike the KJV edition, which has a Reader's Companion, the ESV edition has a traditional concordance. It is 97 pages and is in three-column format. It has lots of entries. I like to look up 'God' to see how many entries it has and compare to other concordances. The ESV Clarion has more than most, with 56 entries for 'God'. There are plenty of entries, making the concordance a useful study tool. Unlike the Cameo and the Concord, each entry is on a new line. This greatly improves searching.

    Maps

    The maps are the standard Cambridge 16 pages, with an eight page index. They are full-color and are easy to follow.

    Ribbons

    There are two brown ribbons. They are long enough to pull from the corner with no problem. They feel like silk. The material is the same as found in other Cambridge Bibles.

    Edges

    The edges are art-gilt, also known as red under gold. This is my favorite edging for a Bible. The copper tone looks really nice with the brown cover.

    Conclusion

    The Cambridge Clarion in ESV is a fine Bible for reading and study. The text and layout look great and the references and concordance make this an excellent study Bible. The paper could be more opaque, but it's still very readable. It's the perfect size for carrying and reading. This is my favorite layout and my favorite edition of the ESV. I would like to see this layout become the standard.

    Baker Publishing provided this review copy for free. I was not required to give a positive review- only an honest review.
Displaying items 1-5 of 11
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