For further reading:

Bruce Metzger, The Bible in Translation: The Ancient and English Versions
Gordon Fee and Mark Strauss, How to Choose a Translation for All Its Worth
Ron Rhodes, The Complete Guide to Bible Translations
F. F. Bruce, History of the Bible in English
Donald Brake, Visual History of the King James Bible: The Tumultuous Tale of the
World’s Bestselling Book
Donald Brake and Shelly Beach, Visual History of the King James Bible: The Dramatic
Story of the World’s Best-Known Translation

And for some decent translations to consider:
NIV 2011
NET
NRSV
ESV
REB
NLT
HCSB
The Essential Evangelical Parallel Bible