A History of the Bible as Literature: Volume 1, From Antiquity to 1700

'This is a patient, intelligent and enjoyable book. The tone, though always judicious, is never dull. The history of the arguments has never been explored in such interesting and significant detail. Mr Norton's history has importance not only because he clears away misconceptions about the literary intention and acceptance of the King James Bible, but also in respect of more modern conceptions and misconceptions of literary qualities in the text, after the time when the word “literature” had itself acquired a different sense or set of senses. There is also material for a critique of fundamentalisms. And there are important points about the way translations were judged, from the Septuaging on: the emphasis was for a long time on accuracy, not at all on literary value, which was either not considered or thought of small interest. The whole matter of Reformation and pre-Reformation translations is carefully studied. On the early English translations the book is always direct and discriminating. This careful, deeply researched and readable book is most impressive, and many besides myself will look forward to reading the second part.' Frank Kermode

• List of plates; Preface; List of abbreviations; 1. 'This treasure in earthen vessels'; 2. The early Christians and biblical eloquence; 3. Jerome; 4. Augustine and his successors; 5. The occult text; 6. The challenge to the translators; 7. Slaves of the vulgate; 8. Creators of English; 9. From the Great Bible to the Rheims-Douai Bible; 10. The King James Bible; 11. Presentations of the text, 1525–1625; 12. Sixteenth-century movements towards literary praise and appreciation of the Bible; 13. The struggle for acceptance; 14. 'The eloquentist books in the world'; 15. Versifying the Psalms; 16. 'The best materials in the world for Poesy'; Appendix; Bibliography; General index; Biblical index.