Re: Self-selected literati bull*** SF

In the Year of the ***, the Great and Powerful Mike Schilling declared: 


Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Seriously; the opinion of people who read widely and think deeply
about what they've read is worth more than that of people who
don't.  That's why I'll listen to James's recommendations, where
I'll ignore those of a Baen-only Barfly.  If that be elitism,
make the most of it.


I disagree. I don't listen to James because he's widely read -- there are far too many people who are widely read and have crap opinions. I listen to his recommendations because he offers cogent commentary on what he reads, and I can make decisions based upon that.

To me a good review is one where I come away knowing whether or not I'll like a book regardless of the critic's opinion. In theory, even a hard-core Baenite could write such a review, provided they show more coherence than they did during their visit here.

--
Sean O'Hara | http://diogenes-sinope.blogspot.com
It's "canon law", not "cannon law". Not only doesn't the Pope have any battalions, he doesn't have artillery, either.
-Mary Shafer, alt.books.tom-clancy
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