. >> reporter: jon sweeney is author of a new book, "verily, verily," which examines that influence.e says the king james version, the kjv, has been particularly important in american culture and history. >> it's the bible of the speeches of lincoln. it's the bible of herman melville's "moby dick." it's the bible of the speeches of martin luther king. it's the basis of cultural identity in the united states more than any other book. >> reporter: sweeney's book is one of many being released for the kjv's 400th anniversary. all year long, groups around the world are organizing celebrations, from symposia and exhibitions to special projects online. based in nashville, tennessee, thomas nelson publishers is the leading commercial publisher of king james bibles. and they're still rolling off the presses. in this factory, workers add thumb indexes to help readers more easily find the various books of the bible. for the 400th anniversary, thomas nelson has released a special limited edition king james bible. today more copies of contemporary translations may be sold such as the new internat