27 Bibles

A cross-country quest to uncover the remarkable stories hidden inside sacred books—and what they reveal about the soul of America.

What begins as a journalist's next story becomes something far greater: a search for hope and belonging. Kevin Nelson’s seven-month journey leads him through the ashes of the Pacific Palisades wildfire, to a secluded monastery in the Mojave Desert, an Elvis wedding chapel on the Las Vegas Strip, the churches of Charleston and Savannah, Amish country in Ohio, Oklahoma ranchland, Zion National Park, and dozens of places in between. Along the way, he encounters pastors, monks, missionaries, immigrants, veterans, cowboys, and more—people whose lives, traditions, and stories illuminate the enduring power of Scripture in unexpected ways.

Each Bible carries its own remarkable history: a missionary’s treasured companion, a priceless fifteenth-century volume, a long-lost family Bible finally returned home, a Cowboy Bible passed to the perfect new owner, and many others. Woven together with biblical reflection, American history, family memories, and unforgettable conversations, this riveting book reveals how the ancient words of Scripture continue to shape modern lives. Warm, thoughtful, and filled with memorable characters, 27 Bibles is part travel memoir, part spiritual pilgrimage, and part portrait of America. It is an invitation to rediscover wonder, find meaning in unexpected places, and remember that beneath our differences lies a deeper story that has always connected us.