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Melvyn Bragg
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Book
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Publisher | Hodder & Stoughton | ||
ISBN | 9781444705157 | ||
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Reviewer
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Vicky
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Synopsis
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, 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 seventeenth 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.
As THE ADVENTURE OF ENGLISH explored the history of our language, so THE BOOK OF BOOKS reveals the extraordinary and still-felt impact of a work created 400 years ago.
Review
I saw Melvyn Bragg talking about 'The Book of Books' on BBC4 2011 Hay Festival week - during the 30 minutes or so as he expounded on his book, he said that whilst writing it he had had something of a conversion back to Christianity which I found fascinating!
'The Book of Books' is full of fascinating historical information in how the book has influenced our politics and law givers and how we go about our daily lives especially during the 1600s when it was written.
I find it difficult to believe that one book written 400 years ago has so much influence in this world of ours today, much of it for the good, but sadly some of it not so good when people say 'I am right and you are wrong' and so wars begin!
Melvyn Bragg has woven a fascinating and entertaing tale of how the King James Bible became the most influential book in the world including a chapter on Richard Dawkins take on the whole ethos of Christianity!
I very much enjoyed reading this book and learned much about how our modern bible came into being and who it helped. I highly recommend this book for all who are interested to find out how the King James Bible came into being.
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