tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7872819010848426693.post5403183797188394286..comments2024-03-28T02:46:03.227-04:00Comments on The Historical Society: Thou Shalt Review Books ResponsiblyRandallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16755286304057000048noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7872819010848426693.post-24345491308610571472011-08-12T01:10:10.440-04:002011-08-12T01:10:10.440-04:00Thanks for sharing this. I haven’t read into this ...Thanks for sharing this. I haven’t read into this series of post just yet, but it looks very promising from what I’ve read here. I’m sure by the time I’m done with all of this will be as good as you.Millionaire’s Consultanthttp://themillionairesocietyreview.com/?hop=maximdelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7872819010848426693.post-87500414270525829732011-08-04T08:32:42.116-04:002011-08-04T08:32:42.116-04:00oh dear. I just looked at my most recent (favorab...oh dear. I just looked at my most recent (favorable) review and saw that I included minor flaws in the penultimate paragraph. Seriously, are we that predictable???Lisa Clark Dillerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00155783885263417225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7872819010848426693.post-75210249602749393242011-08-01T06:07:06.947-04:002011-08-01T06:07:06.947-04:00I've been thinking about this so much since I ...I've been thinking about this so much since I read it--the need for some sort of code for reviewers. So I just wanted to add in terms of reviewing fiction: never ever give away the ending. In fact, don't even allude to it. Yes, include a precis of the plot, up to about page 100 or even 150 of the novel, but do not EVER tell us whether it ends happily or unhappily (Oscar Wilde's comments on the subject notwithstanding). Do tell us whether the characters are believable and whether they grow and change. Do tell us whether the writing is good, excellent, indifferent or lumpy. But don't tell us the ending. <br /><br />Also, we're not the only ones noticing these rules... Even the Daily Telegraph has flagged it up: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/8670745/Literary-Life-July-31.htmlM.M. Bennettshttp://www.mmbennetts.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7872819010848426693.post-53934454476582904512011-07-30T13:25:50.615-04:002011-07-30T13:25:50.615-04:00I think that I like your list better M.M. The poin...I think that I like your list better M.M. The points about context, novelty, qualifications, and conflicts of interest are especially well taken.Chris Benekehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08623325601668600846noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7872819010848426693.post-4699668820565195672011-07-30T13:10:19.874-04:002011-07-30T13:10:19.874-04:00I should also have said, the reviewer shall never ...I should also have said, the reviewer shall never ever make personal comments about the author. Not ever.M.M. Bennettshttp://www.mmbennetts.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7872819010848426693.post-30757418939084983522011-07-30T13:08:25.616-04:002011-07-30T13:08:25.616-04:00Gosh, there are so many things one should try to g...Gosh, there are so many things one should try to get in, and at the same time, leave out. (I reviewed professionally for 25 years...) I would have said, the review shall tell what the book's about and perhaps, if the subject's a little arcane give some context so that the reader can get a fix on whether they might be interested. The review shall place the book in context with other works on the subject. The review shall comment on the writing style--accessible, beautifully written, or arcane and full of jargon--and provide a sample of same, so that the reader can judge for themselves. The review shall judge whether the author has covered the subject adequately or have they left out the facts which did not support their thesis. The review shall say whether the author has brought anything new to light either in terms of findings or conclusions. The reviewer shall be able to back up every statement with an example from the text. The review shall not be written by a reviewer who has any conflict of interest--friendship, enemyship, competitionship, etc. And finally, the reviewer shall do all of the above in an engaging and interesting manner, because the goal of the reviewer is also to 'get read'.M.M. Bennettshttp://www.mmbennetts.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7872819010848426693.post-59486721106532839322011-07-30T12:35:50.937-04:002011-07-30T12:35:50.937-04:00That seems spot on to me Geoff and more or less in...That seems spot on to me Geoff and more or less in line with Pinsky's Golden Requirements.Chris Benekehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08623325601668600846noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7872819010848426693.post-6700659033284571082011-07-30T12:20:02.379-04:002011-07-30T12:20:02.379-04:00Questions I try to answer: What is the book's ...Questions I try to answer: What is the book's purpose? Does it achieve it? What is its audience? Does it take an approach appropriate to that audience? What is its thesis? Does it prove it? How well does the author: use evidence; organize the book; write? What is the work's significance to the field?Geoff Megargeenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7872819010848426693.post-88773271315781054542011-07-30T08:01:15.916-04:002011-07-30T08:01:15.916-04:00Thanks Heather. Amy Wood made the very same sugges...Thanks Heather. Amy Wood made the very same suggestion. It should have been first on the list!Chris Benekehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08623325601668600846noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7872819010848426693.post-2367853586752624022011-07-29T23:40:57.395-04:002011-07-29T23:40:57.395-04:00Thou shalt actually read all of the book you are r...Thou shalt actually read all of the book you are reviewing (not just the introduction and conclusion)!<br /><br />This is great, Chris! Thanks!hcrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07334093881332383848noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7872819010848426693.post-25349802858501250912011-07-29T11:37:09.227-04:002011-07-29T11:37:09.227-04:00"Irregardless ...."Irregardless ....Chris Benekehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08623325601668600846noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7872819010848426693.post-60452367412428829462011-07-29T11:15:42.892-04:002011-07-29T11:15:42.892-04:00Thou shalt try to find a better way to say: "...Thou shalt try to find a better way to say: "Regardless of these minor errors, the book . . ."Randallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16755286304057000048noreply@blogger.com