| In the April issue of Roundup Magazine, W. C. | | | | other unpleasant manner. Regardless of cause, results |
| Jameson, the author of several books and a just | | | | usually take the form of criticism of historical fact, |
| published novel, discussed at some length "The | | | | when the fact is there, but the reviewer missed it. |
| Honesty of Blurbs." He cited numerous examples of | | | | Or, there may be criticism of a character's language |
| how these comments printed on the book jacket, or | | | | or actions that contain thinly veiled sarcasm. Or again, |
| back cover of paperbacks, most frequently were | | | | the reviewer may not be compatible with the book, |
| 'dishonest.' | | | | and instead of providing a truthful overview, will again |
| Among his examples, were the author who asked | | | | resort to criticism. Regardless, I have found the |
| for a blurb, and was surprised that the person whom | | | | review erroneous, and of little help in a pre-evaluation |
| he had asked, wanted to read the book; a blurb that | | | | of the book. |
| was delivered to the author at his request, rather | | | | It is true, that it is not an easy task to provide an |
| than the publisher, and appeared in press as a much | | | | unbiased review, if one or more factors result in |
| altered, and improved version of the original; of | | | | book-reader incompatibility. However, a reviewer, in |
| publishers who admitted that blurbs they applied to | | | | such circumstances, is doing a disservice to the |
| books frequently, were written for them at their | | | | editor, the author and the reader, and should turn the |
| request, by another of their authors. Many readers | | | | task over to another. |
| do not depend upon these blurbs in selecting a book. | | | | As an editor of a scientific journal for a number of |
| However, if they do, I must concur with Jameson's | | | | years, I provided almost countless papers and books |
| conclusions that the reader may or may not receive | | | | to reviewers. Reviews are a requirement for the |
| an accurate evaluation. | | | | health of science. I believe they serve a similar |
| There is another matter that is just as dishonest to | | | | purpose for the health of material provided for |
| the reader and, perhaps, even more dishonest and | | | | enjoyment. As an editor, I always expected a |
| detrimental, to the author and publisher. This is the | | | | reviewer to read a book, or paper carefully. If they |
| book review done by a reviewer who, for one | | | | could not equate, they merely informed me and I |
| reason or another, does not really read the book. We | | | | would assign it to another. |
| all are aware that one can read at many levels - while | | | | One can postulate that application of the same policy |
| also watching television, while half-asleep, as an | | | | to pleasurable reading that one applies to scientific |
| assigned chore, or for actual personal enjoyment. | | | | books and papers is too stringent. However, the cost |
| Each attention method, obviously, would produce a | | | | of publishing and purchasing books today is far more |
| different review. | | | | expensive. Nicely bound paperbacks easily reach the |
| Over a number of years I have had, as an author, | | | | fourteen to sixteen dollar range. Would it not seem |
| more than a hundred research papers, as well as six | | | | appropriate to at least provide an honest evaluation |
| textbooks, a lexicon in four languages, and a recently | | | | for a reader, and incidentally give the author and its |
| published novel, all subject to review. In no way, | | | | publisher a break? |
| have I been able to find fault with most of the | | | | The book ratings that the reader provides in passing, |
| reviews, and have complete respect for the | | | | such as those by Amazon readers, have no |
| reviewers' opinions. | | | | alternative but to be accepted for what they are. |
| In the recent past, I have found an increased level of | | | | But, parenthetically, usually they are quite accurate. |
| annoyance with reviews, however. I have read | | | | On the other hand, would it be too much trouble for |
| several novels that are not as reviewed. Too often, | | | | editors and publishers who request reviews, to be a |
| it appears that the reviewer has been participating in | | | | little more careful in their handling of reviews and |
| some of the activities sited above while reading the | | | | reviewers? Incorrect, or badly done, reviews can be |
| book in hand. His evaluation may result from an | | | | bad for all levels of the industry. Done correctly, they |
| undesirable assignment, or has come about in some | | | | are helpful to all. |