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The Book of Books: The Radical Impact of the King James Bible, 1611-2011
- Narrated by: Stephen Thorne
- Length: 11 hrs and 37 mins
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The Book of Books: The Radical Impact of the King James Bible, 1611-2011
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Summary
The King James Bible has often been called ‘the Book of Books’ both in itself and in what it stands for. Since its publication in 1611 it has been the best-selling book in the world, and many believe it has had the greatest impact. The King James Bible has spread the Protestant faith. It has also been the greatest influence on the enrichment of the English language and its literature. It has been the Bible of wars from the British Civil War in the 17th century to the American Civil War two centuries later, and it has been carried into battle in innumerable conflicts since then.
Its influence on social movements - particularly involving women in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries - and politics was profound. It was crucial to the growth of democracy. It was integral to the abolition of slavery and it defined attitudes to modern science, education and sex.
Fascinating and eye-opening, The Book of Books reveals the extraordinary and still-felt impact of a work created 400 years ago. Stephen Thorne reads Melvyn Bragg’s definitive history of the King James Bible.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
- Mr. Henry Gray
- 08-07-11
Interesting
This type of book is why I started listening to audio books as although I have a great interest in history it can sometimes be hard slog reading through. As an atheist but brought up a Presbyterian in Scotland I am acutely aware of religious differences in the UK. Too many people dismiss the role that religion has and still continues to play in our lives, the King James bible changed the face of history and played a massive part in freeing the peasants and opening up education to the masses.
I don't believe in God and the bible is full of stories written by men but there is no mistaking the profound affect on history.
Read this book regardless of your religious beliefs to discover how it changed the face of Britain, Europe and the Americas.
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6 people found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
- Brian McQuarrie
- 04-03-12
worth a read but keep a large pinch of salt handy!
An interesting sketched history of the KJV but when the author gets into opinion it gets murky. At times it seemed that Mr Bragg was making the case that this book was responsible for all good things and all doers of good things that have ever existed, which seems a bit weak to me. I almost gave up on the book after the annoying chapter on Richard Dawkins mainly because it seemed utterly inaccurate and unnecessary to me. I'm glad I kept going; we secularists are nothing if not open minded, to state the bleeding obvious.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Elizabeth Davies
- 27-05-11
Absolutely wonderful ..........
This is among the best books I have ever "read". It was so interesting,brilliantly written and narrated. I will listen again because although dense with facts it is not at all tedious ... on the contrary it is totally absorbing. Congratulations Melyn Bragg, this is a classic.
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4 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- theweeg
- 06-03-17
Informative and wide ranging
Listened to it over a long period but was easy to come back to and the way it was presented was accessible and interesting
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Cathy
- 29-07-21
melvyn's masterpiece
well read, very informative and full of fascinating facts but with a clear prochristian bias.
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 03-02-20
Antagonistic to Christianity & historical errors
Enjoyed this initially but became dismayed by authors antagonism to Christianity and the factual inconsistencies, Cromwell was certainly not Presbyterian - he was fighting the Presbyterians! Found it very frustrating so had no desire to continue listening.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
- Christine
- 31-01-12
Disappointed
I was disappointed with this book. I was expecting more of a history of the King James Bible rather than quite so much quoting from it, but I guess Melvyn Bragg is interested in language.
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
- David
- 08-05-11
Beware!
Unfortunately the reader has a speech impediment.
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9 people found this helpful