[comp.edu] BOOK reviewing

g_harrison@vger.nsu.edu (11/11/90)

   Many of us one time or another have done text book reviews in computer
science.  I did two in the past three months.  It seems to me that the
publishers are never very clear about what they want you to review or in what
detail.  

   Maybe it's a function of the compensation.  For one I received $500, and for
another I received $150.  My experiences with working with some publishers and
even some authors have been generally good.  However, I still wonder who
catches all the errors in texts!  I find (in using first editions) that it's
usually the instructors.

   I've been told in one case NOT to read the text (word for word) but to give
a general impression.  The publisher said that their staff would catch
technical errors.  I doubt that!  

   Are there any impressions of the review process here on the net?  I'd like
to know what reviewers are normally expected to do - and what is considered
adequate compensation.

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-- George C. Harrison --------------- INTERNET: g_harrison@vger.nsu.EDU --
----- Professor of Computer Science --------------------------------------
----- Norfolk State University, Norfolk, Virginia  -----------------------
-------- Any views expressed here are my own and are not necessarily -----
-------- those of the University, my family, or anyone else. -------------
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