tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12974756.post343688555493417565..comments2023-07-08T12:28:53.416+02:00Comments on Amanuensis: Did you find this review helpful?Simon Hallidayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04289994368497331598noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12974756.post-30050209206235049232009-10-19T19:20:35.418+02:002009-10-19T19:20:35.418+02:00Thanks Burk. A quick note, I edited the post becau...Thanks Burk. A quick note, I edited the post because I realised something didn't make sense. Where previously I had said, "In fact my conclusions don't require this assumption, they probably need something weaker like an interaction of spitefulness and criticalness, which is unlikely to occur." I have changed the 'unlikely' to 'likely'- it doesn't make sense otherwise. I don't know how that happened. <br /><br />I must say that I have to agree with your comment - I can often tell from the more critical reviews whether I will enjoy a book or not, or sometimes whether I should read a book because of the issues it brings up and because of peoples' negative responses. I find I learn more that way.Simon Hallidayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04289994368497331598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12974756.post-39062113955781351052009-10-19T19:08:02.738+02:002009-10-19T19:08:02.738+02:00That is an interesting post, and an interesting is...That is an interesting post, and an interesting issue. I have never paid attention to the usefulness rankings, but always go right to the most critical reviews, which I view as <i>always</i> the most useful. If they are sputtering bile, that casts a good light on the book. If they are pained and articulate critiques, then they cast a harsh light. Their citations and details tend to be the most telling ones possible. As you say, positive reviews are a dime a dozen- it is the negative reviews that separate the men from the boys, as it were.Burkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11158223475895530397noreply@blogger.com