Since the launch of Logos 4, I've tried to write Buyer's Guides to Logos Base packages. Here are my belated opinions on Logos 6 Collector's Edition. (There are also guides for Starter, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond and Portfolio editions.)
Collector's Edition is twice the size of Portfolio, but it's more than twice the price too, weighing in at more than $10,000 and 5,000 resources. You'll gain a number of useful modern commentary sets over Portfolio. From expository to technical, they include Opening Up Commentary [$324.95], Feasting on the Word [$247.95], Focus on the Bible Commentaries [$409.95], Westminster Bible Companion [$399.95] Evangelical Press Study Commentary [$299.95], Mentor [$369.95], International Theological Commentary [$449.95], 86 volumes of the Anchor Yale Bible [$1,969.95], 59 volumes of the International Critical Commentary [$1,899.95]. Dozens of volumes of older commentary sets are also included. Useful reference works include the new International Standard Bible Encyclopedia [$129.95], Dictionary of Classical Hebrew [$249.95], and a wide range of Greek and Hebrew grammars. For background work there's Charlesworth's Old Testament Pseudeipgrapha [$119.95] and the Dead Sea Scrolls Study Edition [$89.95]. There are also a number of second and third tier academic journals. The monographs in theological studies are not terribly attractive, comprising mostly of 18th and 19th century works. Historical studies are fairly well represented, this time being a mix of older and more up-to-date works. There's a little on ministry and preaching, and rather more on apologetics. But its the Biblical Studies monographs that really shine. It's very hard to summarise what's included, as they're so varied and there are literally hundreds of them. But generally speaking, the additions to Collector's are often academic monographs from publishers like Sheffield Academic Press, T & T Clark, Magnes Press, Fortress Press and Eerdmans, with proportionally fewer 18th and 19th century works. Here's just a small sample: Hermeneutics Collection [$189.95], Near Eastern History Collection [$399.95], Magnes Press Hebrew Bible Collection [$329.95], Judaism and Christianity Collection [$179.95], JSOTS Studies on Exodus [$119.95], David [$219.95], 1 & 2 Chronicles [$219.95] Psalms [$299.95], Jeremiah [$179.95], and JSNTS Studies on the Gospels and Acts [$249.95]; the PBI NT Studies Collection [$218.95].
Suitable for: Seminary professors (or possibly PhD students) who major in OT or NT studies, particularly those who want a varied library that crosses disciplines, or are involved in church leadership.
Verdict: Despite the massive cost, Collector's Edition represents excellent value for money for those who can put it to use. Like Portfolio, it's not for most people. Most pastors will be better served by a smaller package. Professors of Church History or Systematics probably won't find enough relevant content to justify the cost. But for OT or NT seminary professors and PhD students, there are few other places where you can get such a range of academic commentaries and monographs for such a (relatively) low price.
Want more? You can read the entire guide to 37 base packages at my website: http://www.logosbiblesoftwaretraining.com/documents/logos-6-buyers-guide/
