Though it is the most important book in religious life and culture of the English-speaking world, the King James Bible or Authorised version of 1611 has never been perfectly represented in print.

The Textual History of the King James Bible charts David Norton's epic re-editing of the bible, shedding new light on how the text was made, and how, for better and for worse, it had changed in the hands of printers and editors. This uniquely detailed account of the history helps to demonstrate what the text should be, for modern readers who want the most faithful representation of the King James translators' work.

Contents:

Part I. The History:
1. Making the text;
2. Pre-1611 evidence for the text;
3. The first edition;
4. The King’s printer at work, 1612–17;
5. Correcting and corrupting the text, 1629–1760;
6. Setting the standard, 1762–1769;
7. The current text;

Part II. The New Edition:
8. Variants and orthography;
9. Punctuation and other matters;

Appendices 1-9.