Review Time: February 2010

The New King James Version Pitt Minion reference edition is an ultra-thin, hand-sized Bible that offers many of the helpful features found in a full sized reference edition while remaining travel friendly. Widely admired for it's ultra-thin form, good readability, and elegant design the Pitt Minion format is one of the most popular editions published by Cambridge University Press.
Traditional art-gilt page edges, a matching red ribbon marker, and a cover bound in superb quality black Goatskin, gives this edition an elegant appearance reminiscent of the classic compact Bibles of the 1900's.

About The Binding & Cover:
The cover of this edition is crafted from superb quality Goatskin leather. Fresh out of the box, the cover of this edition is supple, and flexible. The grain of the leather is excellent with well-defined texture and rich color. Goatskin (Genuine Moroccan leather) is thin, durable leather that will with stand many years of use. Over time the leather will grow more supple and flexible which many search for in high quality Bibles. The Smythe sewn binding of this edition is impressive. Unlike many hand-sized Bibles on the market the NKJV Pitt Minion Goatskin edition lays flat when opened on a table or in your hand. It is very rare to find a hand-sized Bible that will remain open hands free. Smythe sewn binding is considered the highest quality of book binding methods, the pages are sewn and glued to the spine resulting in a very durable binding. Bibles with Smythe sewn bindings can be read and reread for years without falling apart. Smythe sewn Bibles will with stand more abuse than those with glued bindings. Smythe sewn book printing and binding gets its name from its inventor, an Irish-American named David McConnell Smythe (1833-1807) Size: 4.75 x 6.875 inches. Spine width: 3/4 inches.

What’s inside?
The NKJV Pitt Minion offers many helpful features often found in full sized reference editions. Features Include: A detailed center column cross reference system for finding related verses, fifteen detailed color maps, a map index for finding certain locations, an eighty one page concordance and paragraph/subject headings within the text. This Bible is a red-letter edition (the word's of Christ are in red) printed in double column format. Unlike many red-letter editions the red text found in the Pitt Minion is easy on the eyes. The text size is 6.75 on 7pt lexicon No.1. The typeface used in this edition makes it one of the most readable compact Bibles I have used. Unlike many compact Bibles the wording in this edition does not feel crammed together making the text clear and very readable. The paper is opaque and thin yet the bleed-through is faint, and not pronounced enough to be distracting. This edition is printed in the Netherlands on Indian paper that gives a true since of quality and craftsmanship.

In the Front

Presentation Page
Books of the Bible in Canonical Order
Books of the Bible in Alphabetical Order
Introduction to the NKJV

In the Back

Concordance
Map Index and Maps

About this Translation:
The New King James Version is a modern translation of the Bible commissioned in 1975 by Thomas Nelson Publishers. One hundred and thirty respected Bible scholars, church leaders, and lay Christians worked for seven years to create this translation. Their goal is a completely new, modern translation of Scripture that retains the purity and stylistic beauty of the original King James Version.

History:

Cambridge University Press is the world's oldest continually operating book publisher and is the oldest Bible Publisher, with an unrivaled tradition stretching back over four centuries and a long standing reputation for quality and craftsmanship. Cambridge University Press is committed to the highest standards of printing and binding. Each Cambridge Bible is skillfully made from the finest materials. The materials used in the binding are natural products, and many aspects of the binding process are handcrafted, resulting in a unique and longing last Bible. As a testament to the quality of their Bibles, each Cambridge Bible is unconditional guaranteed for life against defective materials or workmanship of any kind.

References :Cambridge University Press Wikipedia

My Personal Opinion:
The quality and craftsmanship of this edition is impressive, I admire the skill that went into it's making. It's fine Goatskin cover is simply beautiful and a delight to hold. Fresh out of the box this edition is flexible and molds to fit your hand (a quality which is highly sought after in leather bound Bibles). When compared to my other compact Bibles the Smyth sewn binding of this edition lays flatter than any other compact edition. Unlike many compact Bibles this edition stays open with out having to hold your place. It can even be read on a table and still remain open, which is very impressive. The quality of the paper is surprisingly strong, this is one of the few ultra-thin Bibles that I feel comfortable flipping through it's pages. I have always been drawn to compact Bibles since they can be carried with ease and read anywhere. The size of the Pitt Minion size is prefect for this task because of it's lit weight and ultra-thin design. Despite its small size the text of this edition is very readable. Unlike most compacts I can read several chapters with out eyestrain. Through if you plan to study in depth I would recommend an edition with larger print. But for lit reading this edition is perfect.

This edition has became one of my primary Bibles for lit study and devotional reading because of its quality, durability and craftsmanship. If you are looking for an ultra-thin Bible that will with stand years of daily use I recommend this edition. The price is four times the cost of mass-produced editions, but it's worth the cost because this Bible is built to last a lifetime.

The Bible featured in this review can be found at-

ChristianBook.com: NKJV Pitt Minion Reference Bible Black Goatskin Leather

Other cover styles of this edition can be found through the following links.