"This is absolutely the best ESV available. The craftsmanship is top notch. The cover is like butter in your hands, the paper is very white, and crisp, and the text is large and easy to read. The Readers had a lot of hype surrounding its release, and it has more than lived up to it." Jeremy Brown
"The quality of my Allan Bible is so exquisite that I am still amazed whenever I pick it up to study or read. Thank you for your excellent service and commitment to your customers." Rev. Dean C. Brown, The Wesleyan Church
"Having owned and read the Reader's Edition now for a couple of weeks, I can say that the Reader is by far the best bible I have ever owned or viewed. On a scale of 1 to 10, I would rate the various features of this bible as follows:
* the goatskin cover (natural grained with exquisite feel) - 10
* yapp (cover overhang - almost full yapp which doesn't catch the paper) - 10
* binding method (sewn and overcast-stitched) - 10
* edge treatment (Art-Gilt, gold foil over red dye) - 10
* gilt line / spine printing quality - 10
* ribbons (3, green/purple/brown, broad with beautiful hues) - 10
* layout (dbl col, cross-ref) - 9 (I would prefer single-col, para, xref format)
* font type style - 10
* font size - 10
* font density (darkness of type) and uniformity across pages - 10
* paper (ghosting better than many bibles, but worse than the best examples) - 6
* OVERALL - 9.5 (the bible would receive a 10 if it had more opaque paper (+.3) and a single-column paragraph xref format (+.2)
The overall bible then is something of a work of art and truly special. For me, though I would like to have better paper, I absolutely admire the superb craftsmanship of every other feature, and the paper is acceptable for my eyes considering what I get as a whole. Without a doubt, this is currently the finest ESV bible available. Well done!"
Mike Sheppard
"The ESVR1T is a bible that is built with quality and application in mind. The usual qualities of an Allan bible are present with a few upgrades. The overcasting in the front (before Genesis) and rear (middle of lined pages) as well as the three nice wide copper ribbons and a tame golden gilt-line around the inside leather lining are a few pleasant upgrades. The tan Highland Goatskin is extremely supple out of the box and it is accompanied by the pleasant fragrance of leather that will seep into your hands after prolong use (not a complaint at all). The size of the bible is on the large size, but it is also craftily agile. I can imagine moving with much ease while the ESVR1T is tucked snugly under my arm. The print is nice and bold on paper that is whiter than any other Allan bible that I own. There are noticeable differences in moving from a Cambridge Wide Margin to the ESVR1T. Type size and binding quality are the two major differences (advantage Allan). In making my decision to purchase a $200+ bible without any tangible resources available, I took advantage of the expansive community and blogs that are centered on the development of this great product (I invite those wondering to do the same). In result of conversation sparked by EB.com and carefully examined by R.L. Allan throughout the blogosphere, I am pleased to note that this bible is as advertised with much more prestige in person. This well crafted product is a bible with the Reader in mind!"
Kevin Moore
"The Allan Reader's Edition is without question the best bound and the classiest looking and feeling Bible I have ever owned, and I've owned many. From the buttery soft Highland Goatskin cover that melts in your hands, to the larger print and glided edges, this Bible is an example of the finest binding craftsmanship available. I expect this Bible will be for me a permanent and lifelong companion." Randall Spence
"This is one beautiful Bible. Mine arrived on Christmas Eve and it was the highlight of the Christmas season for me. The highland goatskin binding is soft and supple, as well as beautiful to hold and behold. The text is clear and a pleasure to read from, and the overall design is everything I was hoping for. Lot's of options for notes including generous margins and lined paper at the back of the Bible. This is truly the finest Bible I have had the pleasure to use." Steve Mowery
"I received my Reader's Bible today and it is by far the most beautiful Bible I have ever owned. I have owned many Bibles over the past 26 years during my walk with God. The goatskin cover and lining are very supple and like velvet in my hands. The color of the tan is more like a rich, bronzed copper which I find to be elegant yet different - not too flashy. The text is printed on high quality paper and then sewn with an additional overcast stitching both in front and the back of the Bible which give the pages a secure and solid binding. This additional stitching gives evidence that this Bible was expertly crafted by the best binders in the field. Inside, the text layout is classic but yet it has room to breath, not cramped, which I find to be very easy on the eyes. The bolder and larger font is also easy on the eyes. The margins are large enough on the outside and inside of the text to jot simple notes, dates, or cross references that are meaningful to me without having to write on the actual text. The three copper ribbons are a delight and will be very helpful for my reading plan. In the back I will enjoy the full concordance, maps, and also the many pages of blank lined paper for additional notes. Being a short person the size of my Bible is very important to me. The Bible is roomy without being unruly, overwhelming and heavy. This Bible is definitely going to be my life time companion and, because of the high quality construction, I am sure that the next generation will also have the opportunity to enjoy this beautiful work of God's Word." Sandi Soldati
"Simply the greatest ESV Bible constructed to date. A Ferrari in a world of Ford Fiestas." Craig Thompson |
