perfect

This review is for the CSB Large Print Ultrathin Reference Bible in Premium Leather (black goatskin).

First of all this is a great sized Bible for everyday carry, it is only one inch thick and is very lightweight. The premium leather cover is a black goatskin which is very soft and it has perimeter stitching with black threads on the outside and red threads on the inside which nicely compliment the black and red double satin ribbon markers and the black and red on the thumb indexing. The spine has 3 nicely done raised ribs and silver stamping which goes well with the silver gilded page edges. The Bible is edge lined which means the liner is tabbed up under the text block which makes it much more durable than a Bible that is not edge lined. The aesthetics of this Bible are very pleasing to the eye as well as the touch. This Bible is also smyth-sewn so it will hold up to years of use.

This Bible features a double column format (my favorite) and center column references. The font is a 9.5 which is very readable. I spot checked between 30-40 pages and all of the ones I checked were line matched, I cannot confirm if the entire Bible is line matched or not but all the pages I checked were line matched which cuts down on ghosting. The paper is thin on this edition but it is not a flimsy paper, I do not feel at all like I will tear the pages, the paper is a very nice quality paper. One must expect a thin paper on a Bible that is only one inch thick. I have not written in this Bible so I cannot say how it takes to ink but if I do underline or take any notes I will use a pigma micron 005 and I don't think there will be any issues.

With reading glasses I can read the cross references in the center. This edition also has topical subheadings and it is a black letter text. There is a nice concordance and 8 full color maps.

If you are looking for a thin, take everywhere CSB Bible this one would fit the bill, it is very nicely done and it slips nicely into a laptop sleeve when putting into my Bible bag. I would recommend this Bible to anyone looking for a CSB Bible. It is also available in a leather touch cover and the leather touch by Holman is a nice imitation leather and is very affordable and durable.

I received this Bible from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. You can see my full video review on you tube under the channel name Bible Believing Christian. I hope this review helps if you are debating on purchasing this Bible.

Holman Bibles has created an awesome bible. The genuine leather is amazing, durable and a pleasure to hold. The 9 point font is perfect for reading the double column layout. The print is crisp, the red letter is uniform throughout. Smyth-sown...just an outstanding value. This bible has exceeded my expectations in quality and the reliability of the CSB translation...I just can't say enough! Thanks to Holman and Christianbook!

Minor among the problems in the world is that I can't find the perfect Bible. Though the CSB Compact Ultrathin bible approaches desirability. I would only wish for something that size and shape, but with cross refences (useful) and without section headings (not useful). And I like your leathertouch cover, but why can you not make it the same color as that lovely deep brown genuine leather?

I make it a point to be at least somewhat familiar with available translations. I want to be able to discuss them intelligently; I've also taught a series of lessons a couple of times that included an overview of different versions. I'm not comfortable giving other people guidance if I don't have a good bit of first-hand experience to draw on.

So when the CSB came out, I dipped into it some on line, but I really wanted a decent print copy to spend time with. I thought I'd pick up an inexpensive hard cover version, but saw this Ultrathin Reference edition in LeatherTouch and was surprised at the price. I grabbed one.

I was even more surprised when I received it a couple of days later. Sure, you can tell the difference from an expensive goat-skin cover (that would cost six times as much), but the paper quality is good, I like the LeatherTouch better than bonded leather alternatives, and the stitching and general look and feel are not at all "cheap".

I haven't left it on top the car and driven off yet (and hope that I don't), but it seems as if it will be quite durable as well.

As for the CSB, I'm still working on it, but so far I'm impressed.

For context, let me say that the NASB was the first "modern" translation that I used, back in the '70s, and it's still a favorite. I've sincerely tried to see the attraction of the ESV, but I've yet to see any benefit over the NASB. I find the ESV unnecessarily awkward far too often and just not comfortable for public or devotional reading.

My go-to translation has been the NIV for many years; despite some trepidation over the 2011 update it remains so.

The CSB is the first thing that I've seen that might change that.

I appreciate the extent to which they have moderated some of the idiosyncrasies of the HCSB that tended to distract. They seem to have done a good job of finding a happy place between literal rendering and real English. I've seldom found myself going back to reread a verse because the word order or sentence length sent me down an unintended path. And their approach to gender accuracy is moderate and thoughtful.

Bottom line... The CSB needs to be in your library of Bible translations. You may find yourself reaching for it first.

And, this LeatherTouch, Ultrathin Reference edition is as good a value as you can get to start with. You may want to buy a bunch of them for family and friends.