Submitted by George J. Leonard, Apr 28, 2007 03:38

Since Mr. Burgin identifies himself as a student, may I offer some constructive criticism? His review is more an essay than a review, the implied audience a professor in his field who knows S. well, not the General Educated Reader. That's what Mr. Burgin, has, after all, trained himself to write. However, he really hasn't space to do an essay right; and a "review" has humbler jobs to do which aren't getting done. Above all, the reviewer should help me decide not if I want to study Schumpeter, but if I want to read this particular book. After Mr. Burgin's mini-essay on S., I still can't tell. One good way to help me decide would be to get offstage, and let the author have the spotlight-- quote him. Extended quotations one would never use in an essay would, in a review, let me encounter the author face to face, without mediation. This, at least, is the advice I give my own academic reviewers. "You're working too hard. Just write a review." I hope Mr. Burgin forgives me for the advice. May he write many more reviews. Best wishes.

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