And to you.

Chris

And I was called uncharitable. Sigh.

To be clear, for what will be my last reply on this, I never said you were giving away your only copy. My original text: “Also, they’re giving their copy of the book away.”

If you want to focus on how many books the publisher sent you – which I couldn’t have possibly divined – fine, be that way. We both know that I meant to communicate – and did communicate – that you were giving away a copy of the book. Period.

What possible difference does it make? By now, you’re so hyper-critical to anything I have to write on the matter that you’ll most probably continue to take offense, though none has been expressed or intended.

Done,
Chris

PS Thanks for that link, BTW. No great surprise, though, that several bloggers would have a problem with the new regs…

Have you read the following?
http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/jennifer-vilaga/slipstream/ftc-bloggers-its-not-medium-its-message-0

You speak as though as though I am completely clueless on the nuances of blog tours and publisher marketing. That’s fine. I’ll take my lumps.

I don’t expect you to agree, but you write as though your opinion is the only valid one out there – something I won’t do to you.

Your last volley shows that you read my response to David (aka The Scroll), but you still have a beef. Fine. I just see it differently…and I’m going to.

No one is required to take online reviewing or book discussion as serious as you seem to take it. People are just having fun and learning about new books. Perhaps you could step back and not take things – and yourself – so seriously.

I’d apologize except that you know and I know I meant no ill will or harm to any blogger.

I’d apologize for taking the reviewing of Christian books too seriously if I really thought I could consider what a Bible teacher writes with the same carefree spirit I have when I read Charlie Brown and Snoopy.

I’ve already gone the distance to make my point as clear as possible. You don’t want to accept it? Your problem.

Good night,
Chris

I think you either insist on being uncharitable or you are unfamiliar with the book industry and review process. Publishers send out free books for review all the time. The vast majority of reviews come from having receive an advanced copy. There is no pressure to write a positive review as it is standard procedure. And no one assumes this impacts objectivity.

The book tours simply take this process and offer it to bloggers who might not otherwise get advanced copies. There is no pressure to write positive reviews only that you mention the book if you don’t have time to review it (which is what happened to me). Again, there is nothing unethical about this as readers are aware it is a part of the tour and are free to make judgments about the content offered. If it is just a blurb, it just helps get the word out. There is no deception in involved in saying “here is a book the publisher sent me and here is what it is about.” It is a form of promotion and it happens all the time.

There is no moral requirement that “objective” or critical reviews rank higher in online searches. And there is nothing morally or ethically suspect from participating in a program where you get a free book and promise to post on it.

No one is required to take online reviewing or book discussion as serious as you seem to take it. People are just having fun and learning about new books. Perhaps you could step back and not take things – and yourself – so seriously.

Thanks for chiming in. Yeah, it is fair of you to respond. I would expect you to, especially since you’re a blogger involved in these “blog tours,” as they’re called.

I have no problem with bloggers writing positive, negative, or middle-of-the-road reviews. I tried – and I think I failed – to explain that I was really against bloggers who receive the free book on the basis that they would actually review the book, and then only cut and paste the book’s info from the publisher site (which is certainly in the best interest of the publisher). My problem is that publishers know that the free-book-kickback (or whatever you want to call it) is bound to affect reviewer objectivity – and they know it.

The fact that I back the FTC’s decision shouldn’t bother you one bit, since you are a blogger who, as you say, write some negative reviews and some positive ones. It appears that you are in the minority (according to the brief research I did on the mater). The majority of “blog tourists” don’t even “visit their destination,” but regurgitate what it says inside the travel brochure.

BTW, I wouldn’t expect your review to contain indepth theological analysis. I do expect, though, something more than what can be gleamed by reading the back of the book or viewing a couple of publisher videos on the text. I’m not going to accuse you of not reading the book, David, but I must tell you: your review is so light on details that you could’ve done written it based on the info off the dust cover and a couple of publisher videos. (Just something for you to consider for future reviews. Readers enjoy details.)

All this is to say: With some books, no big. Stephen King’s new book? I could care less. Sarah Palin’s new title? Hardly important by comparison. A renowned Bible teacher who’s representing God and what it says in the Bible? He’d better have his ducks in a row…and the same goes for anyone who would review his book.

Don’t believe me? Read Revelation 22:18-19 where it speaks of what will happen to anyone who dares detract from the Word of God.

Good night,
Chris

I have no qualms about posting a negative review, although to date, I’ve not had a book that I couldn’t give some positive feedback on. This particular book I read completely and if you read my post, you’ll notice that I begin with my personal thoughts and include the summary provided by the publisher. I see no problem with this as it give my reader both the publisher hype, and my unfiltered opinion.

And the free book is simply another way for the publisher to get some word of mouth advertising – and the blogger to get some traffic. Nothing nefarious about that.

As for whether my review was glowing but without substance, I would venture to say the review is generally postitive while relaying the primary message of the book. That I didn’t go into an in-depth theological analysis of the title should not surprise you. That wasn’t my intent.

You are welcome to disagree with the theology of the author, and the message of the writing, but I find your insinuation of deception and underhandedness on the part of Waterbrook/Multnomah and the individual bloggers to be uncharitable and unseemly.

Hey there. Your post on the matter reads, “I’m giving away one copy of You Were Born for This by Bruce Wilkinson. If you want to be tossed in the basket for a drawing, leave a message.”

Actually, it’s a pretty fair assumption, when you think of how many reviewers simply copy and paste the publisher’s info, and then give the book away, all in an attempt to increase readership on their own blog.

For the record: Did you give away the copy the publisher gave you, or did you give away a copy you yourself bought?
Chris

I guess you’re free to hold your opinion…as am I. I believe I was too unclear, though, in my initial article. I don’t believe bloggers are to blame in this whatsoever. I just don’t think it’s an entirely ethical program, since the reviews that are generated will not be as objective as they would be if people would have to shill out the $20 themselves for the copy.

Of course, then there would be very little buzz…and that’s my point exactly…

Sorry if I offended. I guess I should’ve been much more clear in pointing the “blame” on the part of the publishers.

Please forgive,
Chris