The Valley of Vision Bound in Goatskin
The Valley of Vision almost needs no introduction. It’s a collection of Puritan prayers that is a long-time favorite for many including myself. Many people have used this collection devotionally and to aid in their own prayer life. These prayers are theologically rich, deep, beautiful, and inspiring. Up until very recently, you could get a copy of the The Valley of Vision in paperback or bonded leather. These prayers have become such a treasure to so many that it was only fitting for them to be bound in something that could withstand the frequent use the volume is sure to receive. When Banner of Truth announced The Valley of Vision was releasing in both genuine leather and goatskin, those of us who love these prayers couldn’t contain our excitement. I’m excited to have received a copy of the goatskin edition of The Valley of Vision from Westminster Books in exchange for a fair and honest review. You can’t beat the service Westminster Books will provide you and I wholeheartedly recommend you purchase this title from them.
The box this edition comes in is phenomenal and looks elegant. It’s solid black with gold writing on the front. It’s textured with a grain-like feel to it. It says, “THE VALLEY OF VISION”, “PREMIUM GOATSKIN LEATHER”, and has the Banner of Truth logo at the bottom. If you’ve owned the bonded leather then you’ll immediately recognize that this is different just from the packaging it arrives in. When you open it, the book is wrapped in shrink wrap.
The Valley of Vision itself is beautiful. It’s a black goatskin with the title stamped in gold on the front along with the horizontal line and flower design. The goatskin feels smooth and has a nice grain. It has a nice flex to it when you move it around in your hands. It’s worth noting that this edition has a considerable amount of yapp over the page edges as well. I really like this and it makes the footprint slightly taller and wider than the bonded leather version. The spine has four raised ribs. I love this addition. I always think raised ribs just make a book look classic and this one deserves that treatment. On the spine between a flower design are the words, “THE VALLEY OF VISION” stamped in gold. At the bottom in gold is the Banner of Truth logo.
The inside of the cover is edge-lined with what I believe is a calfskin liner. Instead of a gold perimeter gilt line, it has gilded filigree edging. The page edges also appear to have a higher quality gold gilt than the bonded leather edition had. The goatskin edition is Smyth-sewn and has two black single-sided satin bookmarks making it the only edition featuring two bookmarks. The head and tail bands are a black and yellow.
I’ve had a few folks already ask if it lays flat. The short answer is no, but I think it very well could with some breaking in. Being Smyth-sewn, it will stand up to lots of use and could very well lay flat with some work.
To me, the paper appears to be the same paper used in the bonded leather addition. This is my only complaint. I would’ve loved to see them use a thicker and more opaque paper to minimize ghosting. Being such a compact book, I think thicker paper wouldn’t have hurt the footprint and would’ve enhanced the quality—especially for those who may take notes inside.
As I said above, the content of this book is what is so valuable and wrapping it in a premium binding is truly giving it the treatment it deserves. These prayers are so rich for meditation and for your own prayer life. The Spirit uses them to grow you, refresh you, and fan into flame a love for the Lord. They are organized in a table of contents at the beginning to help you navigate them. You’ll find categories such as “Approach to God” and “Redemption and Reconciliation”. The prayers are titled to help you as well. I typically scan the Table of Contents as I’m looking for a prayer to relate to how I’m feeling or what I’d like to talk about with the Lord. Going through in order would also be a great method as well.
VoV - top
Cambridge Pitt Minion - bottom
If you’ve never read The Valley of Vision, pick up a paperback and give it a try. I wouldn’t be surprised if you end up buying a nicer version eventually. If you already own a paperback or bonded leather copy, I have no doubt you’d love the genuine leather or goatskin edition. Pick up your copy from Westminster Books today or grab one as a gift for someone who will benefit from it for years to come!
Dislcaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Westminster Books in exchange for a fair and honest review.
