Synopses & Reviews
The story of one of the most influential, provocative, ambitious projects of its day—the translation of the Bible into English
Beautifully presented and based on extensive scholarly research, this accessible volume traces the fascinating history of the Authorized Version of the King James Bible from its earliest predecessors through its remarkable influence on the church, literature, and wider society throughout the English speaking world. In 1604, the new King James I convened a meeting at Hampton Court to address the problem of the Puritans. The recommendation, one of unparalleled political and religious significance, was for the authorization of a new translation of the Bible, one that would be accessible to the common people, and one that would be placed in every Church in his realm. Within three years a team of 47 scholars on six committees had begun work in Oxford, Cambridge, and Westminster, and the fruit of their labors—the Authorized Version—was published in 1611.
Review
"A marvellous, witty, thought-provoking and utterly compelling book written by a master storyteller. It should be required reading for anyone interested in faith and the shaping of the western mind." —Jessie Childs, author, Henry VIII's Last Victim
Review
"An insightful and no-nonsense account of one of the most influential and well-loved books in English—from its genesis in Lollardy to the revelation of its textual variations and multiple uses in the four centuries since its publication." —Peter Furtado, former editor, History Today
Review
“Masterful and lively. . . . [Wilson] writes with great conviction and a breathtaking attention to the kind of personal detail that makes his books such compelling reading.” —Alison Weir, author, Eleanor of Aquitane, on Charlemagne
About the Author
Derek Wilson is a historian, broadcaster, speaker, and novelist. He is the author of A Brief History of Henry VIII, Charlemagne, Francis Walsingham, Spymaster, In the Lion's Court, Out of the Storm, and The Uncrowned Kings of England, among others. Diarmaid MacCulloch is the author of the widely acclaimed Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years as well as of Thomas Cranmer, for which he won the Whitbread Biography Prize, the James Tait Black Prize, and the Duff Cooper Prize.