I was approached last year about reviewing a book, this was quite a surprise as I had never had anything to do with such things before. I was interested so after a quick exchange with the publishers I was on board and ready to go. I received a brief outline of the book chapters and some guideline material to assist me in the process. A few days or a week later I received the first chapter along with the book preface to review. Then depending on how the author was progressing, the new chapters  would arrive each week to have me review them. I would then have to review then write comments apply tracking and enter edits to the document and the chapter returns to the author vvia the publisher.

I needed to review each chapter for its technical merit; Did the content cover the topic for the chapter, what things could be done to improve it, does it have suitable material to allow someone to understand, and therefore get any value for the money they hand over to the bookstore, publisher and author or are they getting a dud.

Now just a thing to be  aware of is that you will not likely get any payment for the effort you put in, however, in my case I am getting a couple of book copies as well as I get recognition for the assistance in technical review in the book.

I am now about to review a second one and this is going to be additionally interesting as I have quite a personal interest in the area, where the author is writing. This has a few benefits, the things the author is going to cover are going to cut down on some research I have to do and will likely ask em a few questions I am going to need to know answers to.

Both these books are on topics about Oracle product, the first is for a newbie DBA, although I am sure a number of more experienced DBA’s can get a bit out of it. The second I have just stated on relates to Oracle Middleware and Fusion

I would recommend this heartily to anyone else as there is much to be gained and little to lose except some slack time and possibly some sleep. Book review work is an excellent way to get in some material reading. It makes you really think about what it is you are reviewing and finally you have to learn something.

Have a great week all

See ya round

Peter