One of the best aspects of The Slippery Art of Book Reviewing is the emphasis on honesty and ethics in various issues that book reviewers can face. Yet that is far from all that Calvani and Edwards provide. The basics are there. Their five keys to book reviewing point out the crucial difference between bias and objectivity while they also outline the key components of critical reading and analysis. To the extent the book attempts to "teach" book reviewing, their use of sample reviews is a laudable approach, particularly when those samples are then compared to actually published reviews. They touch briefly on the print versus blogging review dust up and their extensive list of resources for getting reviews published may alone be worth the price of admission.
The Slippery Art of Book Reviewing may be a near-essential tool for someone thinking about or just starting to review books. Yet it can also serve as a handy reference and reminder for already published reviewers. As with all user's manuals, though, the ultimate worth of book and the tools and tips it provides will hinge on the knowledge, skills and talents of the individual user.
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