Review: Take Reviews Seriously
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 03 29, 2014
I'm not going to lie. I feel a little bit self-conscious. I'm writing a review of a book on writing reviews of books.But maybe that's a good thing--because Baker's guidelines are now in my head. And the reason they're in my head is because I think they make perfect sense.This book breaks down review principles very clearly. Basically, the reviewer should (a) touch on what he or she did and didn't like, (b) explain how that corresponds to the rating given, and (c) indicate which readers would enjoy the book.Baker does a good job of covering the gamut of personal preference. In doing so, he explains that the reviewer has an important obligation. Instead of posting an emotional response, the reviewer owes it to himself, the author, and potential readers to support his review with evidence from the book.Reviews carry a lot of weight on Amazon. They influence buying decisions, factor into the mysterious algorithm, and can sometimes make or break a product. As such, Baker astutely notes that all reviewers should "admit the merits of the book to others who might have different literary tastes, needs, [and] likes."This book objectively assesses a variety of reviews, and the unique ways in which they operate. There are important distinctions between fiction and non-fiction reviews, but all reviews should share a common thread: being fair and unbiased.Baker's simple but nuanced criteria for writing reviews is certainly useful. For this reason, and for its charting of new territory, I give it 5 stars. It is a book that provides rules that can be generalized to products that aren't books; well-reasoned, objective rules. Reviewers, readers of reviews, and general Amazon navigators will all gain something from Baker's work.I was given a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review