Zondervan NIV Giant Print Compact Bible

NIV Giant Print Compact Bible

I recently received a copy of the NIV Giant Print Compact Bible (GPC) for review purposes. The receipt of this Bible did not influence the outcome of this analysis.
This Bible is designed to be portable and easy to read. It has a simple elegance. The cover is an uncluttered, classy premium leather. It has a sewn and glued text block for greater durability. The text is single column, 11 points with good spacing between the lines (leading is about 12 points). The only references included are textual footnotes. The New International Version (2011) is an easier reading translation.
Large/Giant print compact Bibles often end up actually being compact Bibles with large print for their size class. That is, they are not truly large print but do have larger print than most other Bibles of a similar size. The print in this Bible is 10-11 points which isn't giant print. Giant print usually means 14-16 points. It is a very readable large print for middle age eyes that use bifocals.

Its physical size isn't as small as most compacts; Zondervan's NASB Compact Reference only measures 4 inches by 6 inches. At 5 inches by nearly 8 inches (and 2 inches thick!) the GPC is on the high end for compacts. It certainly is not a pocket or purse size Bible. This gave Zondervan plenty of room to fit this larger, more readable text. In my opinion, this Bible offers an excellent balance between print size and overall Bible size. If the print were any larger, the Bible would be unwieldy. If the Bible were any smaller, the print would be too small.

The GPC sits easily in my hands for daily reading. The soft, flexible cover helps; if the cover were stiff it would have a tendency to snap shut. One can quickly turn to a specific passage as well.  I enjoy having a Bible that I can sit comfortably and read like a novel. I recommend a daily reading Bible like this in addition to a study Bible.
The GPC does lay fairly flat.  Unfortunately, due to the thickness of the Bible text has a tendency to disappear into the gutter.

Pressing down on the pages helps but it will take time for it to loosen up. The leather of the spine is glued to the book block. I was surprised to discover this method on a premium, sewn Bible. It causes the leather of the spine to wrinkle as it is pressed open. I am concerned that this will also lead to deformity of the book's spine.

The text is uncluttered as mentioned above. Simple section headings mark passages except in the Psalms and Proverbs. Verses are combined into paragraphs. Verse numbers are included in the text. They are smaller but just as dark as the text. Lighter color numbers would have made them less obtrusive. The paper is perhaps average opacity for modern Bibles. I would like more opaque paper but the show through was not terribly distracting. I have examined several single column text blocks - this is one of my favorite layouts. The GPC's layout is very good. It is readable, uncluttered and easy on the eyes.
This is a premium Bible for a reasonable cost. Retail pricing is $124.99 but online sellers go as low as $50 (USD). Zondervan offers even more affordable bindings such as the bonded leather for about $26 ($39.99 retail) and imitation leather for $16 ($24.99) retail. If you plan to use this Bible daily (and you should) I recommend getting the better cover.
I strongly prefer Bibles that were made with a greater emphasis on function. Fancy covers, special ribbons and unique colors don't help with Bible reading. The quality materials used in making this Bible greatly affect the function. It was designed for a certain type of reading; The Giant Print Compact Bible fills that role very well. If you have never read all the way through the Bible before, get this GPC and read it all!

The Bible:

• Published by Zondervan
• Ebony Premium Leather
• 5 Raised Ribs on Spine
• 2,385 pages
• Perimeter Stitching
• Sewn Binding
• Lays Flat
• Bible Measures 5.25 x 7.875 x 2 inches
• Art Gilt - Red Under Gold Page Edging
• 2 Black Ribbons
• Presentation Page
• Boxed
• ISBN: 978-0-310-42648-6
• Retail Price is $124.99

Introductory Material:

• Table of Contents
• Alphabetical Order of the Books of the Bible
• Preface

The Text:

• New International Version (2011)
• This is #9535.110 in The Encyclopedia of English-Language Bible Versions
• Single Column Text
• Approximately 10-11 Point Type
• Paragraph format
• Footnotes
• Words of Christ in Black
• Sectional Headings
• Table of Weights & Measures