The American Standard Version has new life with a Bible like no other before it.

In 2016 the Bibiotheca Bible was published, based on the American Standard Version (ASV).  The reason we are considering Bibliotheca as the Bible of the ASV is because this version has been mostly forgotten to history, up till now.

The ASV was the basis of five revisions which produced five distinct Bible versions. They were: the Amplified Bible (AMP) in 1965; the Revised Standard Version (RSV) in 1971; the New American Standard Bible (NASB) in 1995; the Recovery Version, 1999; and the World English Bible, in 2000.

The ASV never gained wide popularity in America throughout the 20^th century.  Yet, scholars and translators continued to recognize its contribution and value.

Then, in the 21^st century, the ASV was resurrected from history with Bibliotheca.  This is how the publishers of Bibliotheca describe their ASV Bible:

“Bibliotheca is an elegant, meticulously crafted edition of the Bible designed to invite the reader to a pure, literary experience of its vast and varied contents.  The text is treated in classic typographic style, free of all added conventions such as chapter and verse numbers, section headers, cross references, and marginalia.”

Bob and I encourage you to check-out the Bibliotheca website to discover more about why and how this Bible was put together.  Of highest value to the publishers is the ability to freely read and discover the Bible in a new and fresh way as one of the great piece of literature it is.  Bibliotheca is a truly unique experience of reading the Bible.

Using “Bob’s 5 Bark Review System” we evaluate Bibilotheca as the American Standard Version of the Bible:

1. Trustworthy

Typically, Bob and I would tell you to steer clear of Bibles which have scant information in the introduction about how their translation was formed.  But, in this case, we make an exception.  One of the values of Bibliotheca is that it reads like the classic piece of literature.  Thus, the publishers keep the text clear of explanatory notes, maps, dictionaries, and even about the ASV translation itself.  They want you to read the Bible with no distractions.  Bibliotheca desires that you have an experience of reading like none other you’ve had before.

As has been previously stated, the ASV has been around over 100 years, and has been considered a solid and respected translation.

Bob gives the ASV a “bark” for being a trustworthy translation of the Bible.

2. Understandable

One of the reasons Bob and I review Bibles is that different versions of the Bible connect with different people.  This is most true with the ASV and Bibliotheca.  People with a deep appreciation for classic literature will find this Bible a wonderful experience and will likely connect very well with it.  Bibliotheca sought a niche audience of readers who, they believed, were not being served well with other versions and Bibles on the market.  They don’t pretend to connect with all readers.

Here is an excerpt from the Psalms (remember, there are no chapter divisions or verse indications in the text of Bibliotheca):

O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you.

My soul thirsts for you, my flesh longs for you,

in a dry and weary land, where no water is.

So have I looked upon you in the sanctuary,

to see your power and your glory.

Because your lovingkindness is better than life,

my lips shall praise you.

So will I bless you while I live.

I will lift up my hands in your name.

My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness,

and my mouth shall praise you with joyful lips,

when I remember you upon my bed,

meditate on you in the night watches.

For you have been my help,

and in the shadow of your wings will I rejoice.

My soul follows hard after you;

your right hand sustains me.

Bob’s trying to lift his paws in worship right now.

If Bibliotheca was trying to market their Bible as a version for everyone, Bob would most likely give it a “howl” because it isn’t going to resonate with everyone.  Yet, since they purposely seek to connect in the lives of certain people with a unique kind of reading experience, Bob gives Bibliotheca a “bark” for achieving their purpose.

3. Readable

Since Bibliotheca desires to give readers a positive and impactful experience in the Bible, they have put a lot of thought and effort into their choices of font, font size, paper stock, and the length and width of margins.  In our opinion, they hit the bullseye.

Again, the ASV is not going to be a version of the Bible that everyone will connect with.  Yet, the elegance of the language is augmented and highlighted through Bibliotheca’s concern for housing and framing those beautiful words on pages and with ink which reflects that beauty.

Bibliotheca is meant to be a Bible one can read for extended periods in one sitting.

Bob gives a “bark” for Bibliotheca in its pleasing readable form.

4. Durable

Bibles on the market which easily fall apart with any kind of consistent use are a dime-a-dozen.  But Bibliotheca set the bar to a high standard.  Each of the 5 volumes (3 Old Testament, 1 New Testament, and the Apocrypha) are sturdy hardback covers with hand sewn pages to the spine.  This is a delightful throwback to a time when great attention to detail went into the publication of Bibles.

Indeed, Bibliotheca is meant to be a Bible which you own for a lifetime and pass down to the next generation of curious readers.  The retail price for the 5 volumes (you can purchase individual volumes) stands at $199 and is well worth the cost for the kind of craftsmanship that goes into the books.

Note: You can also now purchase the 5 volumes in paperback at $169.

Bob wants to give two barks for Bibiotheca’s durability, but I told him it doesn’t work that way, so we have one good loud “bark.”

5. Attractive

Bibliotheca is a handsome set of 4 volumes of the Bible, along with a one volume Apocrypha (a set of books recognized by the Catholic and Orthodox Churches, but not with Protestant Churches).  Out of the thousands of Bibles on the market today, nothing compares to Bibliotheca.  If you are a thoughtful and serious reader of the Bible, owning these volumes would be right up there with a trip to the Holy Land.  And when you put it in that context, the purchase price for Bibliotheca is nominal (I should add that I own a set, given to me by my daughter and son-in-law for Father’s Day last year; man alive, they know me well).

Note: You can also purchase a solid walnut case to house your volumes for an additional $118.

Bob was trying to get out two barks again.  We’ve got another loud “bark” for Bibliotheca and its attractive volumes.

Based on “Bob’s 5 Bark Bible Review” of Bibliotheca and the American Standard Version we give it:

5 Barks out of 5

Good job, Bibliotheca.  Thanks for giving us a great product.

Bibliotheca – American Standard Version