After a more thorough review, I realize now that I gave this edition of the New American bible a rating which was too high. Really it should get 2 stars, perhaps 3 at best. A much better edition of the New American Bible would be the St. Joseph's Edition, Classic edition. The St. Joseph's Edition and the Catholic Study Bible have the same introductions and notes, except that the additional materials in the St. Joseph's Edition are better. The Catholic Study Bible's reading guides and the guide to the lectionary reflect current trends among some popular theologians, but do not do much to illuminate the Church's teachings. The material in these reading guides one can get out of a decent introduction to the Bible. In addition to the good introductions and decent notes of the New American Bible, the St. Joseph's Edition provides a bible dictionary, a biblical/doctrinal index with citations to key texts supporting Catholic doctrine, and helpful illustrations and maps. The St. Joseph's Edition also contains the text of the Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation from Vatican II and a helpful guide to reading the Bible. I would say that the St. Joseph's Edition is, for the money, a much better buy and a safer guide to reading the Bible from an orthodox Catholic perspective.

I am an Orthodox Roman Catholic who has searched and searched for a good study bible that was in-line with the teaching of the church. In this study Bible, I found what I had been looking for for so long! It has over 500 pages of reading guides one every single book that help the reader understand how, when and why each book was written as well as the setting of the time when each book was written. It also comes with the footnotes classic of all New American Bibles as well as colorful maps showing such events as Moses' exodus and Paul's journeys. There are also the readings used in the daily and Sunday masses. This Study Bible shows how the scriptures relate to the teaching in the Catechism of the church. Finally a good Study Bible for us real Catholics!!

If you have the desire and need to dilligently search for and completely appreciate Jesus Christ, then I would recommend that you read, study, and reflect on this book. This book shines a bright light on the spiritual, inspirational, and life-giving qualities of all of the books of the Bible. From the reference articles, to the reading guides, to the inroductions to the books of the Bible, and, most importantly, to the very text of the books of the Bible, itself, the Catholic Study Bible brilliantly and wonderfully opens the doors of understanding God - the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spririt; the divine plan of God; the reasons God created the universe and everything in it; discipleship; faith; hope; and love.