The Pocket Canons is the name of a series of small books, designed by Pentagram Partner, Angus Hyland, featuring the text of individual Books of the Bible along with introductions by various well-known authors and public figures, such as Doris Lessing and Bono. The Bible texts are drawn from the King James Version of the Bible. The series was conceived by Matthew Darby, who published it in partnership with Canongate Books in the UK. The series has now (2006) been published in 12 languages and in 16 countries, selling well over a million copies. The US publisher of the Pocket Canons is Grove/Atlantic Inc.
Pocket Canons: Series 1
Book of the Bible Text at Wikisource UK Introduction Writer US Introduction Writer UK ISBN US ISBNGenesis Genesis Steven Rose E. L. Doctorow Exodus Exodus David Grossman Job Job Louis de Bernières Charles Frazier Proverbs Proverbs Charles Johnson Song of Solomon Song of Solomon A. S. Byatt Ecclesiastes Ecclesiastes Doris Lessing Matthew Matthew A. N. Wilson Francisco Goldman Mark Mark Nick Cave Barry Hannah Luke Luke Richard Holloway Thomas Cahill John John Blake Morrison Darcey Steinke Corinthians (1 & 2) First Corinthians Second Corinthians Fay Weldon Revelation Revelation Will Self Kathleen Norris
Pocket Canons: Series 2 Book of the Bible Text at Wikisource Introduction Writer ISBN (UK only)Ruth & EstherRuth / EstherJoanna Trollope Samuel(1 & 2)1 Samuel2 SamuelMeir Shalev PsalmsPsalmsBono IsaiahIsaiahPeter Ackroyd Jonah, Micah & NahumJonah / Micah / NahumAlasdair Gray WisdomWisdom of SolomonPiers Paul Read Acts of the Apostles Acts of the ApostlesP. D. James RomansRomansRuth Rendell HebrewsHebrewsKaren Armstrong
Further reading Second Coming in Salon in Businessweek