 Posted Saturday, January 28, 2006 10:55 PM
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I wasn't sure where to post this thread but thought it might be appropriate in the "Resources" category since many of us rely on reviews when deciding whether to purchase a book. Although customer reviews can be very helpful, I want to point out that reviews on books covering controversial subjects tend to be either very positive or very negative. The overall rating that these books receive will not necessarily reflect the quality of the book; it may just reflect how many people from each bias took the time to write a review. This has definitely been the case with my book, The Religion That Kills, for which the amazon.com ratings tend to be either one star or five stars – people love the book or hate it. I have learned through personal experience that it’s best to read several individual reviews rather than just relying on an overall rating.
With that said, please allow me to vent . . .
I just pulled my book up on amazon.com and saw another negative review. I have no problem with negative reviews if they really address the book, but the vast majority of the negative reviews on amazon.com do not deal with my book. They attack me (my qualifications – one even wrongly saying that I was never a member of the CS Church – my motives, my understanding of CS, my professionalism, my current religious beliefs, my honesty, my mental health). A couple of reviews have been so libelous that amazon.com removed them. These negative reviewers use my book’s review section as a forum for defending and promoting CS. They ridicule the concept of mind control. They put down born again Christianity. They skew my book rating while only superficially addressing the book itself.
One woman, Lucie Lehmann-Barclay from Boston, has actually posted THREE negative reviews on my book. That’s dirty pool in my opinion. Fortunately, amazon.com has deleted two of the reviews since I suspect they don’t appreciate people who live by the “vote early, vote often” philosophy.
The positive reviews of my book tend to be thoughtful, and they indicate that my book is honest and on-the-mark. I appreciate these reviews, as they provide some balance for the ranting in the negative reviews.
I bent over backwards to make my book honest and fair, and I spent two intense and painful years writing it in order to help the many people I know who have struggled with emotional, spiritual, and physical issues after leaving CS. I felt strongly led to write this book (in fact, I couldn’t avoid it), and I told the Lord that I would use any book profits I made on CS related issues and on supporting various Christian ministries. I have been faithful to that promise.
My prayer has always been that God would place my book in the hands of people who need it. I have a notebook full of letters from people thanking me for writing and telling me that it has helped them, so God is answering my prayer.
As many of you know, the harsh title of my book was imposed by my publisher over my strong objections. I suspect that the book’s title fuels a lot of the venom spewed on amazon.com. I’ll wager that some of the reviewers have never even read my book but are simply basing their comments on the title.
As I said above, I have no problem with negative reviews if they are honest and address the book itself. My main concern about these cheap-shot reviews is that they will discourage people from reading the book when it could really benefit them. My prayer still stands – that God will get the book into these people’s hands despite its harsh title and the cheap-shot reviewers.
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Posted Monday, January 30, 2006 10:02 AM
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Linda I'm so sorry that people have felt the need to attack you anonymously and repeatedly for the truth, but we have a great example in the bible of how to respond to those attacks, turn the other cheek and love your neighbor.
I'm sorry that you forced to use the title by the publisher. I have wanted to pick the book up to read but I know that it would not sit well with my sometimes CS husband and since the lines of communication seem to be opening sometimes I would hate for a bad book title to squelch that. But perhaps one day we'll be able to read it together. Keep the faith and hope alive that you have succeeded at some point in saving some and over time will bring others around to the truth about our all loving Father in Heaven.
Confused Wife
(and I hope by posting the thread that it helped to get some things off your chest and out of your system. You feeling are very understandable based on the garbarge I read on the review site.)
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Posted Monday, January 30, 2006 3:01 PM
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Hang in there, Linda!! As you know, I have read your book, and it is excellent and very accurate. There are none so blind as those who will not see.
John
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Posted Monday, January 30, 2006 3:50 PM
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Linda,
You are greatly blessed and appreciated! Those reviews and all the attacks against this forum provide witness to that.
"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." - Matthew 5:10-12 (ESV)
Do Go Be Man
<><
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Posted Monday, January 30, 2006 5:40 PM
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| Thanks, Confused Wife, John, and Do Go Be Man.
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