Book of Common Prayer, Standard Edition, Black, CP220 Black Imitation Leather Hardback 601B

This is the most beautiful edition of the classic 1662 Book of Common Prayer I've ever had the pleasure to use. Before we get to the substance of the review, a brief prefatory note might be helpful: if you worship in an Anglican / Episcopalian church either in the US or in the UK, it's unlikely that this is the edition of the prayer book being used in your church. In the US most Episcopal churches appear to be using the 1979 edition of the US Prayer Book, while traditionalist parishes and many Anglican parishes use the 1928 US edition. Meanwhile in the UK most churches are using either the new Common Worship books, a version of the Roman rite, or services created locally. It seems that if you want to experience a true 1662 service these days you either need to attend a sparsely populated 8am or midweek communion service, or be very lucky in where you live. And that's a shame, as you'd find out very quickly if you read / used this book. Even before we consider it as a prayer book, it's worth reflecting on the fact that many generations have considered it a masterpiece of English *literature*. The language, shaped by the confluence of it's Latin forebears, the enlivening influence of Tyndale's translations of Scripture, and the genius of Thomas Cranmer, is vivacious and memorable. It warns us of the "devices and desires of our own hearts", which we confess "meekly kneeling upon [our] knees". Couples coming to be joined in the "holy estate [which] Christ adorned and beautified with his presence" (marriage) are warned not to "satisfy [their] carnal lusts and appetites, like brute beasts that have no understanding," are instead exhorted to love one another as Christ loves the Church, "loving and cherishing it even as his own flesh." The examples could be multiplied endlessly - but perhaps you get the point. The words leave a delightful taste in the mouth long after you've finished pronouncing them. And this is a beautiful edition of the book. It's traditional look belies the fact that Cambridge took an old edition and completely reset it digitally - somewhat similarly to a studio digitally remastering an old movie or music recording. The result is an attractively laid out text which has gravity and dignity, but which is also crisp and clear, so easy to read. The point size is generous for such a small volume (except the prefaces), and would be easily readable by most folks (and if you need large type, Cambridge do an large-print edition too: BCP Enlarged Edition Black French Morocco CP423 . The French Morocco leather of this pocket edition is durable but so pleasant to hold. There is gilding around the page edges, which just adds to the attractive feel of the volume. And it's made to last - I've had my copy for perhaps a couple of years now, and it's regularly used, and yet it's showing very little sign of wear and tear. It should last me the rest of my life, and then still be good enough to pass along to another generation. But it's not just a book to admire, either for it's quality production or its turns of phrase. It's a book to be *prayed*. And it serves this purpose admirably too. If you've never used a liturgical prayer book before it may take a little getting used to, but it's certainly easier to navigate than most other liturgical texts - part of Cranmer's genius. If you spend a few minutes with the contents page and the calendar, you should be able to work out pretty quickly everything you need to know to get started with Morning and Evening Prayer - and there are a multitude of online sites that can help. It will encourage you to establish or maintain a pattern of regular, daily prayer which can sustain you for a lifetime, as generations of past Christians can testify. The slightly archaic language may trip you up once or twice, but won't present much of a barrier - it's no harder than Shakespeare, for example (easier in most parts of the book). Highly recommended.

This Cambridge pocket edition of the 1662 Book of Common Prayer is absolutely beautiful. The red hardcover binding feels sturdy and high quality, and the print is clear and elegant without being hard to read. The traditional English is timeless and really captures the depth and beauty of Anglican worship — it feels like holding a little piece of English history in your hands. It’s compact enough to carry anywhere but still feels special. Just a heads-up if you’re in the U.S.: since it ships from the UK, it does take a while (mine was about two months), but honestly it was worth every bit of the wait.

Great Cambridge publication. I was nervous when I opened the package and the book was so small. I thought the font size would be small as well. That, however, was not the case. Book is small, but font is very legible.

To begin, just understand that this is a small edition. It is really closer to the size of pocket Bibles and such. This is not bad, though, because it is perfect for carrying around in a backpack, purse, or even a pocket if you've got large ones. And despite the size of the book, the size of the text is still readable and larger than many pocket bibles. I have no issue reading the text but admittedly I am younger. The book itself is of good quality, it doesn't quite lay flat, but the binding is not terribly stiff after lightly breaking it in. The cover is nice and feels good in the hand. The pages lean more towards opaque; they're probably going to have less see-through than your Bible unless you've got a really outstanding one. All in all, this is a great BCP and is perfect for those on-the-go.

This is the BCP of England; it uses the translation of Myles Coverdale, authorized by Henry VIII after the martyrdom of William Tyndale, whose New Testament was used. Yes, God answers prayer ("God, open the King of England's eyes!") and this BCP would be good enough to use, I love having the daily readings and the Psalms printed and bound together. But, it is the King James Version I have promised to use alone. Oh, and, scripture memory is helped by using the KJV, but off subject. If you are looking to research the Reformation, this pocket sized book is good. It is the start of how England began to break with Rome- but be careful! The 1662 BCP will help you start somewhere with prayer and Bible reading- but you cannot rely on it to develop spiritual growth. Rote prayers and vain repetitions are forbidden by the Bible. That said, it does help you to think about what you should pray about. And, if you struggle with Bible reading and prayer, reading five Psalms a day, and every Psalm every month for a year will go far to feed your spirit. Having a system to build a habit is good, this book might help. But, really, I use it more to study history- how public worship has developed, because, in the end, the BCP has no authority. It has a lot of doctrinal issues, like basing public worship off of Resurrection Sunday, not something the Bible requires, but that's how the readings are timed. It also keeps some saint's days, which is not biblical. This, however, is a part of the manuscript, and not a printing fault. I have given this book 4 stars because it is delivered as advertised, the 1662 BCP. Be aware, however, that the book itself is pocket-size, the print is necessarily small. The binding is glued, not sewn, but the book seems sturdy enough. The pages are really white, and the ghosting doesn't cause a bother, as the printing process is even, and the ink is very dark and clear. The printer used a serif font, making the text readable.

Sarà perché sono un diacono della comunità episcopale/anglicana, ma considero il Book of Common Prayer un capolavoro letterario e un perfetto e mirabilmente sintetico manuale di liturgia, dottrina e preghiera. Rappresenta il fulcro della fede anglicana, e quindi della "Via Media" tra gli eccessi del cattolicesimo e quelli del protestantesimo. Non dicevano forse i valorosi antenati romani che "in medio stat virtus" (la virtù sta nel mezzo)?

Naprawdę bardzo ciekawa książka do nabożeństwa kościoła anglikańskiego.

This is a great little book for anglican Christians. Has everything you need.

Ótima aliança entre tamanho de bolso e tamanho da fonte. Ótimo pra acompanhar Evening prayers cantadas no YouTube.

I bought this Prayer book for my mother in law and she is very happy with it. The print is quite small so my only advice would be make sure you don't have problems with your vision before buying it.