Book reviews, traditionally, have served to 1) inform the members of the guild about new publications and 2) to critique, in a positive way, those publications.

All of us have benefited from finely written reviews. And the field has benefited as well- with writers being forced to have their ideas criticized in public view. This forces writers to both write more clearly and to think more incisively. James Barr was famous as a critical reviewer and in the past couple of years at various SBL meetings many of his colleagues reported on the angst they experienced when they heard that he had reviewed their latest volume.

But something happened when blogging came to town. First, and most interestingly, many who blog anonymously (and hence as cowards) take pot shots at persons far their superior in things academic and feel free to do so, having neither expertise nor training, because the internet allows such anonymous sniping. Scholars in the past published and reviewed under their own names so that they were accountable to one another. That’s not the case with the blogging sniper who fires away from behind the trees of anonymity.

A failure to be held accountable results in the reign of stupidity. Hence, there is much stupidity afoot in reviews these days.

And second, some bloggers have become the toadies of the publisher. What I mean by this, and I urge you to consider it, is that some have ceased offering critique and instead merely pander to the publisher in order to get more free stuff so that the cycle of pandering can continue. If a book review is supposed to be a critique, then many so called reviews these days are nothing more than advertisements for publishers.

Mind you, if you like the book, praise it to the high heavens. But if you find it wanting in some respect, and you remain silent because you wish to get more free books, then you have failed as a scholar.

From the publishers point of view, they are more than happy to send you something if they are fairly sure you will say good things of it. The cost of one book (which will be written off as an expense anyway) to a blogger who will be read far more than the advertising circular is negligible. Publicity is everything. Critique, on the other hand, not quite so desirable. Especially if the review in question causes a loss of sales.

In other words, many publishers are not looking for ‘reviews’ in the classical sense of the word but for ‘advertisers.’ Fail to advertise, and the well will dry up. Critique the quality of the work or the quality of the product and you won’t need to worry about getting more little delightful boxes from the publisher you’ve offended.

I say all of this because I think bloggers- to some extent- have become pimps for the publishers. I do my fair share of reviews and I’m glad for the opportunity. But to this point negative reviews (and I’ve written more than a few) have not been gently received by any publisher but one. Hendrickson. To their credit they have continued to offer the opportunity to review materials in spite of a few not so complimentary.

May I say it this way? In general, when you read a review in a print publication it’s more likely to be even handed. With a print publication the publishers know that the chips will fall where they may but in order to get word out, and in hopes that the review is positive, they must send review copies. When they send a book to a blogger many publishers know that if the review doesn’t suit them they are free to cut off the spigot, and believe me, they will. This virtually forces bloggers not to say anything critical. So, beware. If it sounds perfect, it may well not be.

In sum, reviews that are anonymous (as is also true of blogs, emails, discussion list postings, forum entries, and any other internet communication) ought not be considered worth the effort made to read them [with only one exception- the blog of NT Wrong]. And reviews that pander to publishers ought as well to be disregarded as they serve nothing but the financial interest of the publisher and the book lust of the blogger.

[n.b.- if this makes anyone mad I'm not really sorry].