Date:         Mon, 5 May 1997 23:12:50 EDT
From: the writers' goad <mbarker@MIT.EDU>
Subject:      EXERCISE: Book Reviews, Summaries, and Notes?

While you are suggesting, recommending, and otherwise letting us know
about your favorite book(s) or other guides to writing (a dowsing rod?
now how could you write with a dowsing rod and a crystal on a thread,
would you just tell me that?  ah, it takes the blood of a stone,
too?  sounds as though it is a bit too hard for me:)...

Anyway, while you are thinking about it, consider doing a little review
for us.  Perhaps even a summary of the key ideas?  At least give us
a clue as to why this book is so good, what does it offer us as writers,
who should be reading it.

If you're interested in some examples, see
http://web.mit.edu/mbarker/www/writers/technical.html -- there's a
small collection of TECH pieces I've done about writers books.
Admittedly, they are a bit odd and may not provide the best introduction
to the work of the reviewer, but it may offer a place to start.

Just tell us as friends what the main points of the book are, why we
should spend time and money on it.

Just a few words, okay?  Keep it interesting, show us the book, and
help us decide whether we should read it or not.

tink