Crossway ESV Bible Atlas - Historical Maps & Biblical Geography for Study, Teaching, and Travel | Perfect for Pastors, Students, and Bible Study Groups

Having seen the detailed reviews of several others, I wanted to focus on some things that teachers/pastors/or strong lay leaders might be interested in. How does the ESV Bible Atlas compare to other wonderful Bible Atlases? How usable is it?The Crossway ESV Bible Atlas is a marvelous resource. I would be shocked that anyone would ever rate it lower than a 4 star resource. I gave it 5. But I noticed that if you read the reviews for the other major Bible atlases, that you see similar reviews. They all tout how marvelous this and that atlas is and how it is the one to buy. So, how does the ESV Bible Atlas stack up? What are strength and weaknesses? How about teaching resources?As a teacher, let me point out two key things that make this Bible Atlas stand out: the ESV includes a CD with digital maps and searchable indexes, and, in addition, a removable, 17 x 22-inch map of Palestine. The wall map is very nice, but probably too small to be considered a "wall map." Still, very nice. (It is inside the back cover). The CD-ROM is worth the price of the book by itself. It is highly useful, and unlike one other reviewer, I thought the resolutions are wonderful. No, you don't get the high-def brilliant images that are in part 4 of the book, but you can easily print (note: I am not saying you should) an 8x10 or larger copy and you will not notice any poor image quality.The CD-ROM:As a teacher, I can imagine using these images in a PowerPoint presentation or on a hand-out. They are wonderful. So, the question becomes, is that permissible? I couldn't find a direct answer, but many reviewers have said that this can be done. Several bloggers mention, "These maps can be easily added to Powerpoint for use in the classroom." I will update this, if I find out differently. Obviously, if the user has permission to use these maps in PowerPoints or hand-outs for a class, this makes this Atlas top choice for teachers and other leaders.The CD-ROM comes with 127 maps that are taken from the Bible Atlas (and a couple from the ESV Study Bible?). How big? One is a 1575×2298 pixel map of Palestine and the ANE in the late Bronze Age. Another is a map of the Roman Empire that is an amazing 2240×1463 pixels. Most of the others are smaller, but they fit nicely on a page, and look very good and readable. The CD-ROM indexes these maps by chapter and number. A HTML starter page gives brief descriptions. For me, the easiest way to use the maps is 1) use the book as a guide to what I want, or 2) just pull up my Windows Picture Preview pane and scroll through the maps that way.As far as I know, the only other Atlas that gives digital maps is "Biblica: The Bible Atlas" (and only certain editions of that) and that is a big plus to have such usable Bible Maps in a handy CD-ROM format. Much like the ESV Bible Atlas, I recommend Biblica for the CD-ROM of Maps, just be sure you get the edition that has the CD-ROM Biblica: The Bible Atlas: The Story of the Greatest Story Ever Told (with CD-ROM and in Slipcase). Biblica's maps are the same (or nearly so) as the maps you see in New Moody Bible Atlas. Doh! I am failing to mention Rose Publications maps. They now have CD-ROM's of their maps. Rose maps are known for clarity, color, and usability. You are certain to have rights to use the Rose Publication maps, just purchase the right format for you. Rose Publication maps are much "simpler" and cleaner looking, but if you teach kids or lay people, they are great. There is also an online set of maps form BibleMapper.How about the Atlas itself?Crossway's ESV Bible Atlas is amazing. I recommend it whole heartedly. Throw in the CD-ROM and it is a no-brainer. :) If I could only buy one Bible Atlas, the ESV Bible Atlas would be top on my list. The detail of the text (and yes, this is a "study atlas") is outstanding. The only other recent atlas that comes close is the New Moody Atlas of the Bible(2009) which was just recently updated. Some will prefer the New Moody Atlas of the Bible to the Crossway ESV Bible Atlas. That is understandable. They are both so solid and have so many maps and so much good historical and societal information that it is very hard to place one above the other. And if that isn't tough enough, I put Zondervan's Atlas of the Bible (rev. ed.) right there in the mix. All three are outstanding. *(I love Rasmussen's first hand experience and his clear text which supports some of the most beautiful maps I have seen in an Atlas...be sure to get latest edition).The ESV Bible Atlas is such a solid buy, I don't see how you would be disappointed. If you don't need/want the CD-ROM and want good technical details and history, Beitzel's New Moody Atlas of the BibleThe New Moody Atlas of the Bible is every bit as solid. Dr. Beitzel has many years of experience both in the classroom and in the Middle East. Where he shines is that he presents alternatives to a biblical question and then provides his possible solution. Rasmussen's text is that of a first hand historian and archeologist; he knows the land so well, and that comes out in his Atlas Zondervan Atlas of the Bible. The beauty of the maps are unsurpassed. The other Bible atlases (IVP) may also be excellent, but I think that most would agree that the level of detail and information, the clarity and beauty of the maps, and the cultural and historical information within are best with Crossway's ESV, the New Moody, and Rasmussen's Atlas from Zondervan.Enjoy!