NIV Clarion Reference Bible, Black Edge-lined Goatskin Leather, NI486:XE Leather Bound – October 3, 2016

I have owned a Zondervan NIV (84) study bible in bonded leather since 1990. I have owned a couple of nice crossway ESV bibles (one in genuine leather) that I really liked. The ESV translation for me wasn't as fluent as my currently outdated NIV. So, I decided to get a NIV 2011 and put the ESV on the shelf and use it for reference.I originally bought the NIV compact bible in GIANT print, as my eyesight isn't what it use to be. The single column and text size were great, but I had a problem with the amount of text ghosting (text bleeding from the other side) and what felt like cheap plastic bonded leather covers. I decided I wanted something better.I looked at reviews and recommendations for a high quality, compact, single column, easy to read (crisp font) NIV bible. What I discovered was that most people recommended the Cambridge Clarion. I looked at the video reviews, the pictures, etc. but I wasn't convinced. I was afraid the text would be too small, and the leather wouldn't be any better than my crossway ESV yet with a costly price tag. I also wasn't sure about the cross references in the margin--I thought they might take too much space and force the font size to be too small when I really didn't want the cross references to begin with.I continued my search but I just couldn't find anything as highly recommended as the Clarion. So I took a chance, paid the price and hoped for the best.Legibility: A+Let's be clear, this is a compact size bible. However, it is a compact bible with great legibility and readability which is enjoyable for the reader. Even for my aged eyes (47 years old, wearing glasses for the last 23 years) I was able to read the slightly less than 9pt font with my regular glasses. There's something about the font or paper they use that makes the words and sentences really crisp. I've never had a bible so easy to read even when compared to the giant print of the Zondervan's Compact Bible. I have yet to take off my normal glasses and use a pair of reading glasses. I'm not saying you can throw away your reading glasses, but I am saying this font's crispness and lack of text ghosting is so good there will be less fatigue for your aging eyes which means longer and more enjoyable reading time.Not all single column bibles are created equal. Check out several of the reviews on other single column bibles. You'll see many people complain that there are two many words to a line or the spacing is too narrow or too wide. The Clarion gets it just right in my opinion.In summary, this bible reads beautifully and is simply impressive.Leather: A+My Clarion's goatskin bible's leather is simply wonderful. It feels better than any bible I have ever owned. It is supple, flexible, and feels great in the hand. The edge is sewn which from the research I've done will provide additional durability as the bible ages. I expect that this bible will out live me and it'll be a great gift to my children when I'm gone.Paper: A+Some people mention that the pages were too thin and not the best quality. I don't know what they are comparing it to, but I'll say that the paper in this bible feels great. It is super smooth to the touch. Sure the paper may be a little thin, but I've never had a bible where the pages aren't a little thin. Regardless, they are thin but not cheap feeling. Too thin to write in? I don't write in my bibles, so I can't attest to bleed through from markers, pens, and pencils. To me this bible is simply too nice to write in.Lays flat: A+This bible lays flat from Genesis to Revelations.If my review leaves you with anything, please let it be this: When I sat out to buy a premium quality bible, I really didn't expect such a serendipitous outcome. I had no idea what a high quality, useable, bible was until I received this beautiful NIV Cambridge Clarion. This bible is really nice, yet it was meant to be used. This is my daily reader, my daily studier, my daily devotional. It goes with me everywhere. It was made to be used, and used a lot. I have no doubt that it's quality will stand the test of time.Do I think it was worth the price? If my rating and review wasn't clear enough, then I shall say simply, "yes".

I finally found it! The perfect Bible for all my occasions.For reference, here are the things I was looking for:1. A readable font for my old eyes.2. Single column for enjoyable reading (especially in the poetry sections.)3. A binding that will last.4. Cross references5. Nice maps6. Somewhat compact.7. Full concordance.8. Not too floppy to hold.9. Art gilding would be nice as well.This has it all. I've tried a couple of Zondervan's premier offerings, and I loved the blue and silver art gilding, but the single column reference bible was too floppy and big, and it's font was too small. The heritage was a better size, but the font was still too small when compared to the line size, which meant my eyes got lost in the middle of the pages. The Passaggio was a great read for font size, but man, the double column poetry started to annoy me. And none of those are bad choices, but this one is better. It hits all the high points.I've been comfortably reading this each morning now for about a week. This is the one. If there's one thing I'd love to see on this one, it'd be different coloring on the art gilding (Zondervan's silver/blue combo is a knockout), and maybe a goatskin that is a bit softer (again, Zondervan has the edge on soft goatskin). But now I'm just nitpicking, aren't I?Get this. You won't be disappointed, and you can have the joy of knowing you bought from a book publisher that's nearly 500 years old. You can't do that with anybody else.

I am very happy with this NIV Clarion Reference Bible Black Goatskin and it's really a nice Bible. The leather feels softer to the touch than the Pitt Minion Split Calf NKJV that I have. It's just a bit bigger height and width and maybe 2x as thick (I'd consider the Pitt to be smaller than your average Bible). I really like the layout and font size -- very comfortable reading and lays in my hand wonderfully when reading. Comfortable to carry. Out of the 3 by Cambridge that I've known, Pitt Minion, Wide Margin, and Clarion -- Clarion is the best in my opinion.

This is my 3rd Clarion. They are extremely readable and easy to handle. It's the perfect combination of Font type and size. Paper could stand to be slightly thicker, but that would make the Bible too large. The only comparable Bible is the Schuyler Quentel, but it's much larger. I don't use a podium and the Clarion is easy to teach from, allowing me to move around while carrying the Bible in one hand.

I would echo billyrod's review, however, this is only my third Clarion. I've had one of each binding, and I must say, I like the goatskin the best. I only wish it came in a brown goatskin. Unfortunately, (for me anyway), this is not the 1984 text, but the 2011. Still, one my favorite translations. Everything about this bible is spot on: binding, lack of ghosting, paper, font, layout, maps, two ribbons, art gilt - it's all there! I did see something about Clarions being offered in different colors sometime in 2017 ... but who knows.All said and done, this is an awesome bible!

This is the first "high quality" Bible that I have ever had and I really love it. The font size is perfect for reading, there are two nice bookmarks (which is really convenient), the references are great, the cover/binding are top notch, and the box that it comes with is really good. I expected it to be little larger, but after using it for a couple days I think it is the perfect size! AND IT COMES WITH A 12 YEAR WARRANTY. SAY WHAT?! That is awesome. As of right now, totally worth it. 10/10

One of my very favorite bibles. Single column reference layout, very easy on the eyes, and beautifully designed and made. A delight to hold and use.