Post originally by Sergio Mascarenhas at 2003-12-26 05:53:45
Converted from Phorums BB System

Yes, there's the question of the tone and the point that lead you to write the clarification. But these are only simptoms of the real problem. And that's the fact that your review is anacronic.

I mean, the book was written in 1987. And you read the book in 2003. Like if it had been published today. This is the same as reviewing a Ford T today and saying that the car is a joke since it has no power straring, no A/C, the suspension is almost non-existant, etc.

So, here goes the suggestion: when in the future you review books published long ago either you take into account their history and their historical importance; or, if you are not able to do this because you were not there (as you say, you only got into the hobby in 200) or were not able to document yourself, by stating that the book as almost nothing to offer now (which may be true) but you are not able to judge if it had when it was first published. If you go this way, you will drop the condescending tone because you will realize it makes no sense.

Sergio