Would give this translation 10 stars if I could!
348880
I haven't finished reading the entire collection yet, but so far this translation makes meditating on the Word of God quite easy. I find myself imagining biblical scenes which has generally been difficult for me to do in the past. I also seem to remember what I've read more than I ever have before. Which also means I feel confident discussing the Word of God now. The footnote references on the Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic meanings of words and cultural explanations from that era add to my understanding. Once I get started reading in the evening after I come home from work, I can't seem to stop and can't wait to get started reading again the next day. I am so captured by the beauty and love of the divine word of God. I highly recommend this translation and would give it ten stars if I could!
237017
The Torah is my life. Until I finish my Hebrew studies, to read it myself, Mr. Fox's translation is the best I can do... A very good friend of mine, who specializes in Hebrew translation, gave a strong recommendation for this work. Beautiful to read, especially when read aloud!
18933
Love this translation!!!  Heard it read at a retreat and it really resonated with me.  Shipment was quick.  Condition better than listed.
3905548
As everyone knows, translation (especially of poetry) is an impossible task and a labor of love.
This translation by Richmond Lattimore exceeded my expectations and approached my hopes.
3097247
Awesome!  The best translation from original text!  Truly the Word of God!
1618368
Well, in my opinion anyway. David Hawkes has done an amazing job translating this brilliant 18th-century novel into colloquial modern English. I have read all the translations-- this is my favorite novel, and this is by far the best version for an English speaker who just wants a good book. I can imagine that a Chinese reader could pick holes in this translation, as I could nitpick at a translation of Shakespeare-- the wealth of the original is impossible to transfer whole into another language and culture. If you want a word-for-word translation so you can use this as a study guide while you read the Chinese, maybe the wooden Beijing Languages version could help you! But I have a hard time imagining any new translation being more vivid and fun to read than this one. Yes, it is littered with sometimes annoying Britishisms. That is the price of a colloquial translation! It's true that Hawkes does not explain all the references-- that would be another book in itself.  And I am sure he made mistakes-- I help a French translator occasionally and even though he is very well-versed in English, it is so easy for him to miss something that only a cultured native speaker could pick up. But this translation is ALIVE. Until that perfect translation comes along one day, Hawkes's is still better than all the others. Be grateful to him! (2003)
4186307
I can't say enough to recommend this translation of the Torah (the first five books of the Bible). All of Robert Alter's work as he gradually translates all of Tanakh (what Jews call the Old Testament) has been superb, and will open your eyes to this fabulous book. OK, not all of the first five books makes for fascinating reading, but so much is astounding, especially in the voices Alter lends to his translations, and the depth he provides with his extensive commentary. This is a very fat book. Also most worthwhile is his Ancient Israel, which includes all of Samuel 1 and Samuel 2, formerly parts of his book The David Story. Read to your children from this version of Genesis, even if to you it is nothing more than one of the foundations of Western Civilization, its laws and its beliefs, or even if it is nothing more than a set of strange tribal tales. Remember, the Israelites invented the idea of universal law--that king and commoner alike must follow--and also from Abraham we have the idea of the one true God. Arguably, everybody in Western Civilization responds in one way or another to that latter idea. Have you ever met an atheist who says "I do not believe that the really big tree in Central Park is God"? No, we either accept or reject the God of Abraham. In a sense, if you are reading this, you are an Israelite, so get in touch with your roots. We are so very fortunate to have this translation, and also Alter's commentary, which is all about meaning and not overly obsessed with the "who wrote what parts of the Bible" controversy, interesting though that truly is. You cannot find better translations of the Old Testament than these provided by Robert Alter, and were very lucky to have them.
4419006
best translation out there, this is my fifth translation and am glad a friend recommended I read it.
3267750
This is my favorite version of the Quran in English out there. It is wonderfully translated and the commentary is a priceless edition to the reading experience. It is really important to have the commentary to get a deeper understanding of the scripture and I've really appreciated it. It deepened my understanding and brought things to light you wouldn't think of concerning certain verses. It is a must have and I use it at home regularly!
2491967
This new Lyons translation of the "Thousand Nights and One Night" is extremely important, being, as it is, the first complete English translation to appear in over a century and the fact that it is highly readable and yet still exudes the kind of mystery which, I think, is what draws all of us into this work. Robert Irwin in his "Arabian Nights Companion" (an excellent book which all fans of the "nights" should own)lamented that there was no complete English translation of the "Nights" which was acceptable (at the time of his writing). I think Lyons has remedied this problem or, at least, has provided a first rate alternative. I actually own (and, believe it or not, have read) all the English versions. Since I am not an Arabic scholar and cannot read the original, I've accepted them for what they are and have liked each of them for various reasons. Mardrus/Mathers has a nice dreamy fin de siecle feel to it (hardly authentic, though), Payne is straightforward but dull, Lane's notes are excellent but his version too expurgated, and Burton is...well...Burton. (Until now, Burton had been my favorite mainly due to its oddity and idiosyncratic foot notes.) None of them is an "authentic" version of the "Nights", and I've resigned myself to the fact that until I learn Arabic I will never get the feeling that the original hearers had when these stories were first told. But I think Lyons comes awfully close. Best of all, Lyons has chosen to render the verse literally, rather than trying to re-versify it into English, something which I hate about all other translators who have included the poetry, Burton being the worst of all. So Lyons has provided a terrific translation, his translation is comprehensive (the entire Calcutta II edition with the "orphan stories" appended), and it is easily accessible and affordable (I think I had to pay some three hundred dollars for my complete 15 volume Burton translation). Why hesitate? Once you start reading this magnificent work (and I do think of it as a cohesive work) you will probably be hooked for life.
1099025
My favorite book of all time and a wonderful translation. I recommend this to every human
184663
I thought that Professor Fagles translation was without peer.  Well this translation is at least that.  Either will serve wonderfully and reading both (preferably aloud) is no extravagence.
If you are not familiar with this work it should not be missed.  Songs, movies, popular books and more frequently draw upon it.  And, similar to the Bible and Homer, it is a fundamental document to European and American culture.  This translation makes it even esier to read and comprehend.
If this is not enough to make you read it, bring it on a plane or to the beach, go ahead, show off.  The rewards may be multifaceted.
2398823
There is another translation of this text, but this is by far the best!
An alternative is at this link.
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2707171
Simply amazing!!! CANNOT wait for the second book to be translated into English! AMAZON please please comission the translation of the second book ASAP!!!
4313992
I try to keep this book near me frequently so I can read and re-read the luminous messages of the sutras. Lorin Roche's translation goes deep and is fun and lighthearted and timeless. I have rarely found a book that feels like such a friend and an awakener. I highly recommend this book to everyone who wants to savor the wonder and awe of life, love, and the miraculous essence of each moment. Get copies for yourself, family, and friends!
414559
I love the interlinear translation which makes it so easy if you do not know a word, the trnaslation is right there.  What a beautiful book! A treasure to carry with you at all times or to have by your bed stand.
4162464
Rambam knocks me over.  This is an amazing work.  This is one of the most important books in any language.  This translation by Pines is excellent, clear, simple, unobtrusive, and has just the right small amount of clarifying notes.
The Guide clearly should be studied with others.  I would like to discuss each chapter with other people as we read (and maybe re-read) them.  My email address is my firstnamelastname at yahoo dot com.