Pocket Canons : Books of the Bible

Each of these 12 Pocket Canons comes with its own stunning black and white cover photo, and each has an introduction by a highly qualified writer. For example, author Charles Johnson introduces Proverbs: "Put simply, Proverbs is that richly detailed, many-splendored map. A timeless wake-up call," writes Johnson, who was raised in a Midwestern African Methodist church but later became a Buddhist. "More importantly ... it is a two-millennium-old blue-print for the staggering challenge of living a truly civilized life." Other writers in the series include Doris Lessing ("Ecclesiastes"), Fay Weldon ("Corinthians"), Kathleen Norris ("Revelation"), Thomas Cahill ("Luke"), and Louis de Bernières ("The Book of Job"). The lilting language of the authorized King James version (translated between 1603 and 1611) is one of the most eloquent English interpretations, written when language was considered high art. Because of the compelling language, the contemporary introductions, and the artsy photography, this collection actually comes off as hip. Yet it never once falters into glitz or superficiality. This is an excellent gift box collection, especially for open-minded scholars. --Gail Hudson