Reviews Books

As long as books have been published there have been those who have felt the need to comment on them. We call such folks 'reviewers'. These literary critics can be self-appointed volunteers, freelance professionals, employed journalists and academicians whose commentaries about what is being written and published is a part of their job. Reviewers (much like the authors and publishers whose work they pass judgments upon) come in three basic categories: The Good; The Bad; and The Mediocre. There really hasn't been a 'how to' guide of any appreciable length or substance to explain the role of a book reviewer, how to become established as a credible reviewer of books, or how to create and operative a book review business. That is, there really hasn't been such an instructional manual until the publication of Mayra Calvani and Anne K. Edwards collaborative work titled "The Slippery Art Of Book Reviewing". Following an informative foreword by James A. Cox (best known within the publishing industry as the Editor-in-Chief of the Midwest Book Review), "The Slippery Art Of Book Reviewing" is divided into three major sections: 'The Art of Reviewing' which lays out in considerable detail the actual 'nuts and bolts' of what a book review actually is, how to go about reviewing books, and the basics of creating a professional reputation and maintaining a successful book review operation; 'The Influence of Book Reviews' which focuses upon the relationship of book reviews to libraries, bookstores, publishers, authors, publicists, book clubs, and readers; and 'Resources' which provides advice and extensive lists of resources for book reviews as they relate to print publications, academia, online review sites, and more. ""The Slippery Art Of Book Reviewing" concludes with providing a 'Sample of a Press Release'. Offering a wealth of practical, experience-tested advice, commentary, technical information, techniques, and resources, "The Slippery Art Of Book Reviewing" should be considered mandatory reading for novice and aspiring book reviewers, as well as having a great deal of enduring value as a reference for even the more experienced reviewer. Additionally, "The Slippery Art Of Book Reviewing" will provide to be informed and informative reading about the book review process for authors, publishers, publicists, booksellers, librarians, and the general reading public.

I have long advocated reviewing as a way for freelance writers to begin a career and for the authors of books to network with other authors and lots of editors. The trouble is there are few books that approach the subject from any but the most traditional, literary and academic point of view.

The world has turned, and turned...and turned. We now have Amazon and other online bookstores. We have online review sites that specialize in the quick and easy (for screen-tired eyes and busy people) to those who prefer edgy or esoteric. There is room for all and Calvani and Edwards address that.

What I like best, though, is the lists of publications in their last chapters. Those pages are a veritable storehouse of helpful information for any would-be reviewer but also for any author who would like to get reviewed!
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Carolyn Howard-Johnson is the author of the award-winning HowToDoIt series of books for writers.

Reviewed by Irene Watson for Reader Views (5/08)

Calvani and Edwards certainly produced a much-needed reference book that covers all aspects of becoming a book reviewer. Their concise narrative covers areas such as defining a book review and explaining the difference between it and a book report and press release; the don'ts; tips; ownership; as well as many other pertinent concerns. They also include resources and how libraries, book clubs, booksellers, etc. are influenced by reviewers.

As an owner of a book review service I was very interested what other reviewers had to say about the industry and what advice they give potential reviewers. Calvani is an author as well as a freelance reviewer and I'm sure much of the information came from her own experience although throughout the book there are excerpts of advice from other known online reviewers. The authors of "The Slippery Art of Book Reviewing" are very much to the point and it doesn't look like they missed anything.

Although this book is targeting potential reviewers, I encourage authors looking for reviews to peruse the book. The information about reviews, specifically if it's a negative review is enlightening. As well, there is an appendix with a list of online reviewers. Although the list is somewhat dated, it is a very thorough list. And, I don't mean dated in a negative way but I encourage the authors to also research the net for new services that recently emerged or reviewers that didn't make the list.

I do recommend "The Slippery Art of Book Reviewing" as a must-have resource guide. Calvani and Edwards present a well-written gold-mine to potential reviewers as well as a source of information for experienced reviewers and authors.

Newspapers continue to drop their book review columns and few magazines include them in their issues. What is a reviewer to do to get that much needed visibility? The answer might be in the proliferation of reputable online websites devoted to reviewing books. But where do the reviewers come from? And how can a lover of books break into the reviewing business?

There are numerous answers to these two questions, but an excellent place to start is by reading and studying The Slippery Art of Book Reviewing by Mayra Calvani and Anne K. Edwards. Calvani and Edwards give detailed, practical tips and techniques to help the reader learn how to review books. It also covers information about the review organizations themselves.

As an experienced reviewer I learned that I do not know it all and will keep my copy of The Slippery Art of Book Reviewing for reference. It is not a book I will loan outbecause it won't be returned.

If you want to break into book reviewing, The Slippery Art of Book Reviewing is a must-have reference. Heed the author's advice and you can write reviews that will get you and the books you review noticed.

Armchair Interviews says: You won't get rich, but you'll have a lot of fun.

Provides an in-depth and fascinating account into how Star Trek productions are conceived, filmed and produced. The book showsthe transition from initial idea to final product in 3 Star Trek guises - DS9, Voyager and the film Insurrection. The book is jam-packed with pictures throughout and Erdmann's dialogue is very much narrative in style, as the story is told for much of the book in the quotes of various cast and crew. The book particularly highlights how stories are formed and the various inputs from script writers, producers, directors and cast, and it is fascinating to see how a story develops and changes throughout time. An extremely good read.

From the first writers' meeting to the satellite upload, this book describes in detail every step taken by actors, producers, designers, directors and editors to create an episode of Star Trek. Terry J. Erdmann has had unprecedented access to production meetings, film sets and post-production facilities to unveil how various Star Trek incarnations get from idea to (small of big) screen. If you're interested in what's going on behind-the-scenes, I highly recommend this title.

For any star trek fan, or just for those interested in the making of tv series and films, this book outlines, in high detail and many photographs, the process of producing an episode of DS9, Voyager, and a portion of Star Trek: First Contact. A must for any fan's collection.

With print and pictures detailing EVERY inch of the making of three Trek productions, this is a book that is a treasure for any student of filmmaking. One does not have to be an aficionado of the offspring of the original series to appreciate the work that went into the publication of this book.

The book is a fascinating (to use Spock's word) how-to-make-a-television episode (or movie scene) primer.

Remember, this is a guide. It is great fun. Many interesting descriptions and a few tech BW images of comm badge, phaser modifications and alien monsters. There is also a description where and who first encounter a problem (reference to Star Trek episode).
The most interesting writing style - it's like all the Star Trek universe is NOW. Great.
I was a little disapointed - I was hoping for more. It's too short.

I used to have a very simple definition of a textbook: a book that contains a great deal of factual information, but puts you to sleep while attempting to absorb it. This totally fails to meet the second criteria (unlike, for instance, the TNG Technical Manual). Essentially, this is a collection of Trek trivia, in terms of equipment, creatures, and medical techniques, from the shows. However, from the style it is written in one can clearly picture a Starfleet officer actually reading and using this Guide. The descriptions are very clear, concise and interesting. One of them - Section 1.11, "Surviving Atmospheric Re-entry in a Pressure Suit" - is downright compelling reading. The mental picture of each step is incredibly vivid, and so involving that one can actually feel worried when reading the fatal consequences of anything going wrong. This is a brilliant piece of writing and extremely entertaining. For someone starting to collect Trek trivia books and/or manuals, this is definitely the one to recommend buying first.

Star Trek: The Starfleet Survival Guide written by David Mack is a unique little tome in that it is written in computer manual style... starting with 1.0 and ending at 4.15.But more importantly, this book makes you alert to the countless dangers that arise in space and how to cope.

This book has uses for standard-issue equipment that are nonstandard, for exanple remodulating a universal translator into a jamming device, recalibrating transporter enhancer armbands as temporal shields, or this one that you just can't live without sterilizing food and water with a phaser.

The second chapter is unconventional medicine which I found to be enlightening like modifying a type-1 or type-2 phaser into a scalpel, neutralizing Denevan neural parasites, or this one the proven herbal remedies for Mugato venom.

The third chapter is dangerous life-forms which helps with some very unique advice such as avoiding mind control by Elasian women, surviving an attack by a Crysstalline enity, or this onenavigating inside a Borg Cube or Sphere.

Chapter four is extreme scenarios like the following inducing solar eruptions for tactical purposes, surviving if you are shifted out of phase, or this one detecting and escaping temporal causality loops.

This book is full of things that happen or could happen and what to do. So, if you are traveling the universe soon... get your copy and don't leave home without it. There are illustrations in this book that help take you through the techno-jargon and I only mentioned some of the information in each chapter. Reading this book will enlighten you to a lot more survival information.

As it states in the book, "it should be noted that "The Starfleet Survival Guide" does not contain information on basic survival techniques..." This guide is intended as a specialized supplement to the basic survival manual. It reads quickly and is a weath of quirky information.

This is a great book for any Star Trek fan. This is a documented list of unconventional uses of standard equipment for situations that Star Fleet personel may encounter that requires a creative, if not vital, method for survival.

Great book. A lot of technical information, and if you're a fanfic writer of Star Trek, there are a lot good things you can incorporate into your writing.

I really didn't expect too much out of this book. But I was quite pleasantly surprised to find myself thoroughly enjoying it. It gives background to so many of the customs and questions about Siam. It was very interesting to read because it made the story of Anna and the King more understandable and easier to relate to. It gives real story behind each character, but it also explains where this movie came from. If you enjoyed the movie, this is the book to get. It has a lot of awesome pictures, and it tells how the story developed from the true story to a wonderful tale. I think everyone understands that the movie isn't very true, so this book is perfect for learning the truth, and also learning more about the movie. If that's what you're looking for...here it is!

Being obsessed with all things 'Anna', I had to have this book, just because its about 'Anna'. But I can't believe how cool it is beyond that. It is a behind the scenes guide, beautiful, glossy picture book, and well-researched, informative, awesome history lesson in one. It totally quenched my need for 'Anna'!! I reccomend this to fans, historians and movie buffs alike. Ceccelia Holland is brilliant; you can tell she really thought about this and did her homework. My copy is priceles to me. Please get this!

If you enjoyed "Anna and the King," I think you will love this book. It is filled with huge glossy photos, many of them close-ups of Jodie Foster and Chow Yun-Fat as well as the beautiful sets and landscapes. It contains tons of historical background information on the movie and makes for a very interesting read. I highly recommend it.

A good book on the making of the movie Anna and the King and a brief on the history of the Chakkri Dynasty. Disapointed only that the author did not give details on production of the movie. Such as why did they produce the film in Malaysia recreating elaborate sets and imitations of the real thing in the real country, Thailand? And the fact that it was banned in Thailand. Otherwise a good buy, especially if you enjoyed the movie.

Great job! Got the book fast and the book was in a great condition with the CD!

I used this book for my Ob semester of nursing school. This book along with the disk helped me get wonderful grades in the semester. This semester is very hard, but using this book made it very easy. I HIGHLY recommended this book to everyone who is in or going to nursing school. This book is great. It actually covers material the instructors lectured on. The questions on the disk were very similiar to the questions on the nursing tests. It helps you understand maternity and neonatal.

This is a great book......would recommend this to any nursing student. It really helped me get through nursing level 2. It really breaks the important material down and makes it easier to understand. The CD has Nclex type questions that are really helpful as well.

If you have one of those large texts that you have to read and just dont have the time- this is the perfect middle man! It cuts to the chase- gives you all you need to know in relation to the facts- I read my big text for the nursing know how's for how to care for the new mom- but this is great to get just what you need to know for the tests! I love this book- in fact all of the straight a's books are great as well- my teacher in fact wanted to use this book as the actual text, she liked it so much. Really a great investment- This was a great read too- not boring like some other texts- kept me very interested!

I wanted to know all the inner workings of applying and getting into nursing school. AND, I wanted to know how to actually make it through once I got in. This book has it all! From the reality of whether or not nurisng is for me to how to "get in." Plus, study tips, a specific breakdown of what to expect in school and very detailed advice on how to succed in it. I'm talking about details like how to prepare for tests, how to make the most of clinical experiences, and even how to get financial aid! Also,this book explains all about preparing for the licensing exam, and even how to write a "cover letter" and handle job interviews. THOROUGH! Vey thorough. I will refer to it for years to come.

I am already in nursing school, but I ordered this book anyway. I only wish I had found it before I got into school. It answered many questions I had to find out the hard way. It is very informative in so many areas. I would recommend it to anyone looking for answers about nursing school, either before or after you're in school. Excellent and easy to read. Lots of resources listed as well.

At first I thought, hmmm...this is kinda skinny for 25 bucks. But now my only complaint is,
WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG, STEPH? This book answered every question you'd ever want to ask
but probably couldn't find the answer to in one place.

It is great! If you don't have much experience in healthcare, and want to be a nurse, this is the book to
get! There are a few others out there, but this one is straight to the point, gives concrete ideas, even
talks about going the LPN route.

Even if you have an idea of what it's like to go to college, or know the classes you'll be taking, the
hoops you have to jump thru, etc., Stephanie actually tells you what'll be like when you have your first
clinical day. She tells you seemingly inconsequential details like the supplies you might be expected to
buy before you actually start your clinicals. That may be a small thing, but if you're tight on a budget
and just approaching your pre-reqs, isn't that a handy thing to know? She spells out what a big time
commitment it will be, how hard it is, etc., but also tells you that you can do it if you just get
FOCUSED.

And she tells you how to focus, gives study strategies, note taking tips, how to use study groups. I plan
on reading this section to my son who just began high school and needs help with his study habits. We
will both benefit from committing this one to memory.

She also explains what different specialties of nursing means. Didn't you always wonder what Nursing
Informatics was all about (obviously something about information, but what kind?). She tells you what
the classes that are usually standard in most schools of nursing are about (like what the hec is
"Foundations in Nursing"? Is it the beginning of nursing? The history, or what? It is actually just the
"basics").

Financial Aid is covered in this book not so much as to tell you where to go and what to do (altho some of this is there) because truly, as the book advises, your school will steer you in the right direction and it lists some places you can try for additional help. But did you know some grants, loans and scholarships can help with your living expenses? Important information to know if you're a single parent who is wondering how they will go to school, feed the family and have time to study.

Taking the NCLEX is spelled out in detail as well as what to do if you don't pass the first time....or the
second.

You can't go wrong with this book and I can't say enough good things about it. Everything from
making your application to the school and what they're looking for to going on to graduate studies is
included in this volume. Plus everything in between. If you are either a traditional high school student
who wonders what the whole education process of a nurse is, or you're a 50-something wanna-be
nurse going back to school after 30 years, you will profit from this book immensely. Absolutely worth
$... and then some! It will keep you from tossing and turning and agonizing over things Stephanie has
thoroughly spelled out in this terrific book!

This book really answered a lot of questions I had about organization and time management. It focused on the importance of studies as well as emotional and physical well being. I would suggest anyone just beginning nursing school or thinking about it read this book.

The Catcher in the Rye is the best book I have ever written. I am a 15 year old, and no other book I have read has described a teenager as well as J.D. Salinger. At first, Holden Caulfield arouses the reader's sympathy, but quickly changes to frustration b/c one cannot tolerate Holden's kvetches for too long. One might interpret Holden as severely depressed and in need of a sgrink, but for me, I think Holden was actually a portrait of the typical teenager. Read this book!

After reading the reviews of Amazon.com, I decided to read this book as part of an English assignment. I had a hard time putting this book down. If you like old-fashioned writing, this book is certainly one you should read! The blurb on the jacket cover isn't very appealing, but the book is much better than the editors make it sound. I recommend this book to anyone over the age of twelve who loves good literature.

When you ask the question, Would you read this book? Well I'll tell you why I would. Personally, I would read this book over and over again if I had the time. The Catcher in the Rye is a novel that is based on a teens life who has faced many challenges in his life. He went from going to a prep school and failing out, dealing with his brothers death, where to stay at night, who to call when he needed to vent about lifes troubles and worrying about telling his parents he failed out of prep school. He also told a lot of white-lies, but who doesn't? This book shows a lot about how a person deals with many troubles in their life, and how to move on and become a better person. Someone said,"Once you've found what your looking for, it's yours, go for it and don't look back." My favorite part of this book was comparing it to my own life. I may have difficulties in my life, but I have never given up. Like Holden, I wasn't very popular in high school either, but I never gave up the hope of thinking that one day people might like me for who I am. I'll do what I have to do, to get through life being happy and satisfied with what is before me. But and I quote, from my senior highschool year book, "I'll stay the way I am because I don't give a damn". That's just the way I am. In the book it said that Holden represses his emotions and pains inside, if he would have just let them out once in awhile, he would have had a better way of making decisions in his life. I was told many times before, don't give up on life when you are struggling, keep trying and smiling and you'll go far, farther than you can believe. But like I said before, I would read this book over and over again if I had the time in between my busy schedule. I've already read it twice, once in high school and now, my freshmen year of college. I would recommend this book to those of you who are understanding the troubles of highschool, and/or anyone whom may be struggling with the walks of life known to be difficult.

A young boy by the name of Holden is always seeing life negatively. He hates just about everything in the world from movies to school. Holden only treasures his sister Phoebe and his dead brother Allie. Going in and out of schools, Holden doesn't understand stability, but only rejection. Unable to cope with his surroundings, Holden goes on a journey through the hotels and streets of New York and finally finds what he has been searching for all his life:happiness. I recommend this book to anyone of any age. I'm not much of a reader, but I continually picked up this novel to see what would happen next. I especially liked the relation of young teenagers to depression. I know people who are depressed and I want to understand the illness. In Salinger's book, he shows the anger Holden carries very well and the sarcasm at times were even funny. I didn't really understand the ending, so that might puzzle some people. Overall, The Cathcher in the Rye is definately recommended.

This is the first time I buy from amazon and it was great. Very fast delivery. I will definetely buy through them again.

I used this book along with the textbook and ACED the test!

This is the best book we've had in my RN, BSN program so far. The content is very easy to read. The sentences are kept short and to the point. The content is repeated over and over in different places in the chapters as well as throughout the book, making it easier to remember the main points. The summaries at the end of each chapter really focus on the main points and great for last minute updating. I wish all of our books in nursing school were this good.

this is a great review for my nursing classes and career choic

This is a short book but it will get you started and more.
What is an OODA cycle? Don't know.
Better find out today

The difference between an effective and efficient military as opposed to an ineffective and bloated military. A must read for every military planner and every citizen concerned with runaway government spending.

Col Richards walks the reader through how Sun Tzu and John Boyd might have assessed 4th generation warfare and the world in which we find ourselves. His presentation is thought provoking to say the least.

Sun Tzu's wisdom has survived 2,000 years of study by people from a young Mao to the United States Marines. Sun Tzu is all about winning the battle before the battle begins. His wisdom is durable beyond expectations,
" Those whose generals are able and not constrained by governments are victorious ."

Sun Tzu speaks of "The Way" where there is unity of purpose between the ruler and the population. By inference a goal is to break that bond.

John Boyd, cigar chomping fighter pilot turned student of war. His early studies focused on why one side won aerial combat in the jet age. After annoying the Fighter Mafia of the USAF to no end he was sent off to an obscure Pentagon office, hidden exile. However, Boyd used the time to launch a study of Patterns of Conflict, which turned into a monumental brief. Out of this effort also came the OODA loop which stressed the importance of maintaining an advantage by processing information and operating on a faster cycle than the opposition.

Boyd's greatest contribution was not to the USAF but rather to a fundamental restructuring of the Marine Corps battle doctrine. After the 1991 Gulf War the Marine commandant gave Boyd much of the credit for helping to achieve what many pundits believed to be impossible, rapid movement through the heavily armed Iraqi forces occupying Kuwait.

Again and again Sun Tzu, Boyd and Richards stress the importance of non combat war. Victory, not slaughter is the goal.

During the early days of the war in Iraq the press was filled with reports of very tired US troops, often so far beyond their supply lines that they were short on food, yet they continued on. Why, too often the Generals are seeking near perfect preparation while Boyd and others understood that the ability to act is a way that kept the enemy off balance was the quickest and lowest cost way to victory. Richards seeks to restructure the military along the visions of Boyd and Sun Tzu.

Richards acknowledges that he goes far beyond his mentor, John Boyd, in his recommendations for an overhaul of the US military from top to bottom. Richard's ideas are bold and near revolutionary, reduce the officer ranks, close the service academies, promote officers from the ranks of the enlisted, fill pilot slots in the AF, Navy and Marines with non officers. The list goes on.

Col Richards has produced a highly readable book, filled with wisdom of the past 2,000 years along with his own ideas. Highly recommended.

As I understand it, Dr. Richards' book is in fact an amended version of a presentation he gave at a conference in Quantico in Fall of 2001. The presentation itself, which is available on the net in Powerpoint format, was a straight-forward summary of the new situation we find ourselves in: the age of 4th Generation Warfare. The book expands on the presentation, pointing out the obvious flaws of U.S. military management by examining the ideas of John Boyd and Sun Tzu.

In an era where the U.S. still emphasizes gadgets over human assets, answering every other problem with more cash rather than new concepts, Boyd's advice ("People. Ideas. Technology. In that order.") seems more practical than ever. Richards' work is a good examination of Boyd's core concepts and solid guide to reorganizing U.S. Defense strategy.

Readers who enjoyed this book may also want to take a look at H.J. Poole's "The Tiger Way." It applies similar concepts towards the reorganization of the military on the tactical level.

The book was received in record time, in excellent condition, and, was an excellent read.

This is a great book, giving a balanced pespective on the practice and surrounding aspects of Tai Chi. If you practice Tai Chi and have been looking at the books available, then you probably understand that style specific content isn't very useful for most of us. The differences in styles and instructors combined with the non-photogenic nature of Tai Chi make the photo sections all but useless. This book doesn't spend a lot of time trying to teach the specific movements, but how to feel when doing them. This is the best part of any Tai Chi book, and Horwitz's book has plenty of it. I have been practicing Wu style Tai Chi for 14 years, and am currently working on a College project on my studies.

BY FAR THE BEST BOOK YET ON TAI CHI CH'UAN AND TAOISM.

Truly insightful writing about the TRUE nature of TaiJi Quan. A review of the TaiJi classics, and in-depth discussion on Daoism. Truly a MUST-READ for those interested in the higher levels of TaiJi! :o)
...and besides, it's cheap...