[.ca] Holy Bible King James Version (ISBN 0142005029)

From Amazon.com:
The Holy Bible, designed and illustrated by Barry Moser, is as thrilling an experience as you'll ever find inside a dust jacket. Moser, the foremost fine press illustrator of our time, spent four years crafting the 232 relief engravings that illustrate this Bible. Printed in a deluxe limited edition by the Pennyroyal Caxton Press, Moser's Bible is also available in a reasonably-priced Viking Studio edition on acid-free paper, with a satin ribbon marker, specially-sewn binding, and cloth case. These details give the book, as a physical object, a weight and presence that dignifies its reader. It is no overstatement to say that when you begin turning the pages revelation occurs. Even from the first illustration--Adam and Eve, with unapologetically adult bodies, breathtakingly chunky and imperfect, making their way along a stream in the Garden of Eden--it's clear that Moser has a vision of God and humanity whose humility will change the way you see the world. There are so many surprises here: Abram is jaunty (a surprise at first, but one would have to be to say "Here I Am."); Balaam's Ass stretches his mouth wide, teeth bared, conveying the comic terror of the idea that God would speak through his creatures; "Jesus Rabonni," Moser's first illustration of the Savior, depicts Jesus as such a goofy, joyful, solid man that your heart will leap, wanting to be with him. And in some measure, Moser's Bible will bring everyone who touches it a little closer to that rabbi. --Michael Joseph Gross

WOW:
I can't seem to put this book down. I'm consistently surprised by the images. They are all original pieces of art unlike tradional depictions of biblical events. They all have something unique about them. A perfect complement to the poetry of the King James version. This is the best book I own.

Pictures make for Dark and Dreary World:
The pictures in this book are very dark in color. Also very dreary. Several pictures of dead bodies including the head of goliath, Saul's body nailed to a wall, Absalon hanging dead from a tree, the Death of Aaron, Hell and more. Also A picture of Paul after he was beaten, Isaiah and Adam and Eve naked, a picture of Balaam beating his ass, Aaron offering a sacrifice, Samson blinded and bound, Rahab the Harlot, Moses in his Sepulchre, ect. ect. It was like Barry Moser only looked for all the gloom and doom of the bible and no hope. Yes lots of bad, evil things happened in the bible, but the bible if full of hope and joy and heaven too. This seemed to be missed in the illustrations. But the pictures are well done but very dark in color. Much more black in each picture then white. Not a good book for children. Also I wish they had broke up the paragraphs more. Reading with no paragraphs seems a little odd. But I like the fact they left out the verse numbers and I like the larger print. If I was to only look at the pictures without reading the story, I would get depressed. I love the fact they chose the King James Version to use.

Illustrated in a thought provoking and appropriate manner:
Some people might think it inappropriate to illustrate a bible, but I for one find this volume to be a refreshing change. Barry Moser is a master book maker. He oversaw every aspect of its production from the \omoney\csmall press versions to this "every day" \omoney\c version. He chose the fonts, did the layout and typesetting. He designed and engraved all the illustrations, picked out the papers and the binding. Books are not made like this any more, it is a treasure to have in your hands, I only wish that there was a paperback version that would be a little more portable. The wide two column layout without verse numbers is delightfully readable. The illustrations are engraved in his trademark black line style. They are dignified and totally appropriate. I personally favor the New Internation Version of the bible over the New King James for content, but still enjoy reading NKJ for its beautiful language. Having met Mr. Moser at a book making conference I wasn't surprised to find out that he was a former preacher. It was an incredible endeavor to undertake such a huge project and I am completely in awe at the depth of the book. The illustrations add a completely new dimension to the bible. It is wonderful to see faces for all the prophets. His illustrations of Christ are masterful.

Gorgeous:
This is a breathtaking, terrifying, and very human interpretation by one of our greatest illustrators. Highly recommended.

Brilliant illustrations:
Barry Moser is the kind of genius that staggers many of us. The power of his illustrations is astonishing, arising as it does from the relative simplicity of engravings. There are suggestions now and then of a Goya or Dore, say, but Moser's style is instantly recognizable as all his own. After years of being grateful that his brilliant Moby Dick illustrations left out human figues, I am equally grateful that he has put such individual faces on Biblical figures. As we know, a good artist can often best achieve the universal by giving us a detailed particular.