This is the story of one of the most influential, provocative, ambitious projects of its day: translating the Bible into English, the language of the people.

In 1604 King James I convened a meeting at Hampton Court to address the problem of the Puritans. The recommendation, one of unparalleled political and religious significance, was for the authorization of a new translation of the Bible, one that would be accessible to the common people, and one that would be placed in every church in his realm.

Within three years a team of 47 scholars on six committees had begun work in Oxford, Cambridge, and Westminster. The fruit of their labors was the Authorized Version published in 1611.

Beautifully presented and based on scholarly research, this accessible volume traces the fascinating history of the King James Version from its earliest predecessors through its remarkable influence on the church, literature, and wider society throughout the English-speaking world.