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Gideon eBibles And Frank Herbert's OC Bible

The Gideons, who customarily leave a copy of the Bible in hotel rooms, have now gone hi-tech in the hotel Indigo. Guests will be able to peruse scriptural passages in a Kindle e-reader version of the Bible.

Guests are also permitted to download a copy of any other religious text – to the value of Ł5 or less – during their stay. Regular fiction books can also be purchased, with the costs added to guests’ bills.

The policy is being adopted on a trial basis, until July 16, after which a decision will be made on whether to retain it in Newcastle, or possibly expand it to more of the chain’s 44 hotels around the world.

Adam Munday, the hotel’s general manager said the idea was inspired by Newcastle’s literary heritage. The city was once a publishing hotspot

I personally am amazed that the Gideons (or the hotel?) will foot the bill for other religious texts. I'm also curious about the term "religious texts" - I wonder how far that could be stretched?

Space travelers in Frank Herbert's 1965 blockbuster Dune also liked the idea of small, easily portable and lightweight bibles:

"Before I go, I've a gift for you, something I came across in packing." He put an object on the table between them -- black, oblong, no larger than the end of Paul's thumb...

"It's a very old Orange Catholic Bible made for space travelers. Not a filmbook, but actually printed on filament paper. It has its own magnifier and electrostatic charge system...

Never touch the actual pages with your fingers. The filament tissue is too delicate..."
(Read more about Frank Herbert's filament paper book)

Via The Telegraph.

Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 7/2/2012)

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