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| Subject:
where are book summaries on line?
Category: Reference, Education and News > Current Events Asked by: gantonick-ga List Price: $10.00 |
Posted:
24 May 2002 11:34 PDT
Expires: 23 Jun 2002 11:34 PDT Question ID: 17842 |
Where can I find summaries of best-selling books on line? 1- emphasis on summary, not view, like NYT Book Review 2- broader range of books than Soundview Exec Summaries: must be complete range of best-sellers 3- summaries must be short - about a page. bullets are good. 4- free is good | |
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| The following answer was rejected by the asker (they received a refund for the question). | |
| Subject:
Re: where are book summaries on line?
Answered By: bookface-ga on 24 May 2002 18:37 PDT |
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If you're looking for book reviews LIKE the New York Times, why not actually USE the NY Times book review? &quot;Articles from the last 7 days are free, as are book and movie reviews back to 1996. Other articles can be purchased for as little as $.80 per article.&quot; You can do a search here: <a href="<a href="http://query.nytimes.com/search/advanced">http://query.nytimes.com/search/advanced</a>"><a href="http://query.nytimes.com/search/advanced">http://query.nytimes.com/search/advanced</a></a> Or see the main books page here: <a href="<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/">http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/</a>"><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/">http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/</a></a> If the New York Times isn't exactly what you fancy, you can try The Boston Globe. Main books page: <a href="<a href="http://www.boston.com/globe/living/bookreviews/">http://www.boston.com/globe/living/bookreviews/</a>"><a href="http://www.boston.com/globe/living/bookreviews/">http://www.boston.com/globe/living/bookreviews/</a></a> Archives (limited, have to pay for some full-text): <a href="<a href="http://www.boston.com/globe/search/">http://www.boston.com/globe/search/</a>"><a href="http://www.boston.com/globe/search/">http://www.boston.com/globe/search/</a></a> If both of those fail you, you can try The Washington Post: <a href="<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/style/books/">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/style/books/</a>"><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/style/books/">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/style/books/</a></a> They also have a few special features such as an online chapter of the week, a book club, and reading guides for fiction, non-fiction, and summer reading. The American Library Association has booklists online, complete with reviews for each book: <a href="<a href="http://www.ala.org/booklist/">http://www.ala.org/booklist/</a>"><a href="http://www.ala.org/booklist/">http://www.ala.org/booklist/</a></a> You can also use their search tool to find a specific book: <a href="<a href="http://www.ala.org/Architext/AT-booklistquery.html">http://www.ala.org/Architext/AT-booklistquery.html</a>"><a href="http://www.ala.org/Architext/AT-booklistquery.html">http://www.ala.org/Architext/AT-booklistquery.html</a></a> Or browse by year: <a href="<a href="http://www.ala.org/booklist/archive.html">http://www.ala.org/booklist/archive.html</a>"><a href="http://www.ala.org/booklist/archive.html">http://www.ala.org/booklist/archive.html</a></a> Some pages dedicated to book summaries include the following: The above mentioned <a href="<a href="http://www.bookpage.com">http://www.bookpage.com</a>"><a href="http://www.bookpage.com">http://www.bookpage.com</a></a> <a href="<a href="http://www.internetbookinfo.com">http://www.internetbookinfo.com</a>"><a href="http://www.internetbookinfo.com">http://www.internetbookinfo.com</a></a> , which is a database of user comments on several books in various categories; you would most likely be looking into &quot;Commonplace Book&quot;. It should be noted that this isn't really what you're looking for but more of an additional resource for completeness. Finally, I would recommend checking out the major online bookstores, as they usually provide several extensive reviews including a literary review and customer opinions: <a href="<a href="http://www.bn.com">http://www.bn.com</a>"><a href="http://www.bn.com">http://www.bn.com</a></a> <a href="<a href="http://www.amazon.com">http://www.amazon.com</a>"><a href="http://www.amazon.com">http://www.amazon.com</a></a> (borders has teamed with them, so borders.com is superfluous) the lesser known <a href="<a href="http://www.powells.com/">http://www.powells.com/</a>"><a href="http://www.powells.com/">http://www.powells.com/</a></a> has a selection of out-of-print and rare books, but most of the descriptions are probably shorter than what you're looking for Hope this helps. Thanks for choosing Google! Answers. | |
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Reason this answer was rejected by
gantonick-ga:
responder misread question. |
| The following answer was rejected by the asker (they received a refund for the question). | |
| Subject:
Re: where are book summaries on line?
Answered By: madsky101-ga on 29 May 2002 16:26 PDT |
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Greetings! After reading your question, the first thing that popped into my mind was to research sites that might provide the type of summaries that Cliff's Notes offered. I was pleased to find several sites, and have listed the links below. You mentioned that you were interested in a free site, and I have located one that may be just what the doctor ordered. The site boasts that it contains summaries, literature guides, and study notes for over 250 books. It also provides links to other web sites and resources that offer this type of service as well. Peruse this site by visiting: <a href="<a href="http://www.freebooknotes.com">http://www.freebooknotes.com</a>"><a href="http://www.freebooknotes.com">http://www.freebooknotes.com</a></a> Scroll to the bottom of the page for available book titles and helpful links. Other sites of interest: Another free Service with more links to helpful summary sites: <a href="<a href="http://www.antistudy.com">http://www.antistudy.com</a>"><a href="http://www.antistudy.com">http://www.antistudy.com</a></a> This link available on antistudy.com is called: <a href="<a href="http://www.bookrags.com">http://www.bookrags.com</a>"><a href="http://www.bookrags.com">www.bookrags.com</a></a> Here is a sample of their offerings for Huckleberry Finn: <a href="<a href="http://www.bookrags.com/notes/hf/PART1.htm">http://www.bookrags.com/notes/hf/PART1.htm</a>"><a href="http://www.bookrags.com/notes/hf/PART1.htm">http://www.bookrags.com/notes/hf/PART1.htm</a></a> Google Keywords: cliff's notes I hope that this information is what you were looking for, and I was so happy to provide my assistance. Thank you for using Google Answers. madsky101 |
| Subject:
Re: where are book summaries on line?
Answered By: voila-ga on 19 Jun 2002 11:54 PDT |
Gary, I must hand it to you, both in this and your conceptual encyclopedia question, you've addressed two niche markets just waiting to be filled. *Someone* should absolutely jump on these ideas since both are extremely useful. Researching this question for you I visited and clicked all around literally hundreds of book and review sites. The only ones I didn't click through were the many at the phonesoft site. I'd need my own research staff for that undertaking! What I am fairly certain of is that there is not a website available addressing every nuance of your question, and no one wants to answer this question giving you only a partial answer. Lots of promising ones -- just none with the whole enchilada. As mentioned above, the most unique site I found was the Literary Guild's drop down feature. Now, if you'd combine that with the USA Today list of bestsellers, which has a cross-section genre, click on the bestseller's title then add the Literary Guild's drop-down feature with an *actual* review rather than a jacket blurb, well...Voila. However, I still don't know if it would contain your *specific* requirements mentioned in your S. Covey example or the "tipping point" reference. My idea is that *YOU* should run with this idea, Gary, and make it completely serviceable. It certainly would be a unique site. p.s. I did notice the USA Today site has added an "excerpt" feature to their site and I think they'd be the most likely all-in-one source for your idea. Quite possibly it's already in the works. Thanks again for your interesting questions. Are you one of those "scourers" mentioned in the newhouse papers article? ;-) |
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| Subject:
Re: where are book summaries on line?
From: j_philipp-ga on 24 May 2002 15:53 PDT |
I'd also suggest the Amazon bestseller overview: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/feature/-/285453/ref=ilm_rc_288256/103-5411771-8088612 |
| Subject:
Re: where are book summaries on line?
From: andrewxmp-ga on 24 May 2002 21:43 PDT |
dude.....i thnk you misread number 1 it seems he DOESNT want the sort of thing found in the NY times reviews, with viewpoints. Rather, he's looking for a strict database of summaries, available for all those book that are best-sellers. |
| Subject:
Re: where are book summaries on line?
From: eastgate-ga on 28 May 2002 18:25 PDT |
Greetings -- have you tried the sites Kirkus Reviews.com and Publishers Weekly.com ? They should be able to be narrowed down to the current information you want -- they also contain vast stores of summaries of books. Hope this helps. |
| Subject:
Re: where are book summaries on line?
From: lisaradha-ga on 31 May 2002 11:20 PDT |
If you can check with the local public libraries in your area, you should be able to find one that subscribes to Books In Print Online. This database which you can access to for free online, once you are a memeber of a public library has excellent summaries of best sellers. |
| Subject:
Re: where are book summaries on line?
From: nsmith-ga on 31 May 2002 15:40 PDT |
Your local library can also provide summaries of books in book format--ask for Masterplots. It's usually in the reference section. |
| Subject:
Re: where are book summaries on line?
From: voila-ga on 06 Jun 2002 21:35 PDT |
Hello gantonick, I'll offer this information as a comment as I'm not sure it fits the bill but there is some juicy information here nonetheless. I hope you can use it. multiple sites for book reviews, etc.: http://www.co.fairfax.va.us/library/internet/readers.htm many of the sites already listed by other researchers but they're neatly grouped on one page here: http://www.top100bestsellers.com/ bullet reviews for 150 bestsellers (updated every Friday) psst: beware the pop-up): http://www.usatoday.com/life/enter/books/leb1.htm Best literary wishes, V |
| Subject:
Re: where are book summaries on line?
From: joecool12321-ga on 08 Jun 2002 09:18 PDT |
I think you're looking for somehting like SparkNotes. http://www.sparknotes.com has a vast compendium of both complete texts (http://www.sparknotes.com/texts) and study guides (http://www.sparknotes.com/guides). I think you may be looking for something like their study guides on literature (http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/.dir/). --Joey |
| Subject:
Re: where are book summaries on line?
From: voila-ga on 10 Jun 2002 22:48 PDT |
Hello again, This is a semi-cheesy looking site but it will give you an idea what's out there. I'd need some help to run down all these links so I'm just passing it along. http://www.phone-soft.com/cyber-world/make-frame.php3?framename=0587i.htm Peace, V |
| Subject:
Re: where are book summaries on line?
From: voila-ga on 15 Jun 2002 19:53 PDT |
This from the newhouse papers: http://www.newhousenews.com/archive/story1c123101.html "Merriam-Webster editors have a daily chore of "reading and marking," which means they scour books, newspapers, magazines, the Internet -- even menus -- for new words or meanings. When they find them, they are compiled in a massive, 6 million-entry database of citations. Then the terms must undergo further scrutiny under two tough criteria: popularity and endurance. Macarena, for example, did not make the cut. "It didn't last long enough," Bicknell said of the dance routine." It remains to be seen if the phrase "tipping point" has any legs, but it sure has outlasted the macarena. This link for the linguist in you: http://cognet.mit.edu/MITECS/Entry/ling.intro Another reading guide resource: http://www.randomhouse.com/art/headers/batrheadermap.map?490,11 Thanks all for me on this question, V |
| Subject:
Re: where are book summaries on line?
From: texast-ga on 17 Jun 2002 20:18 PDT |
. COMMENTS: I think I've found exactly what you're looking for! Not free, though - $100 for one year or for 52 summaries... The material following is quoted from their FAQ page: QUOTED MATERIAL TAKEN FROM WEB SITE: How do you select the books to be summarized? Our editorial committee sets the publication schedule using information from three different sources: Source #1 -- The Editors Our editors review all the new books and nominate those they consider to be most important -- that is, those that contain valuable new ideas and concepts. Source #2 -- The General Public Summaries.Com editors closely monitor the business book best seller lists. Books that hit the right spot usually show up there. Source #3 -- Our Subscribers Subscribers can nominate a book to be summarized at any time -- and quite a few do. The editors then review those suggestions carefully. Summaries.Com won't always be able to meet all requests, but we certainly try to wherever possible. URL: http://summaries.com/questions/q3_q4.htm ===== COMMENTS: Here's another possible site. Not sure if they'd have exactly the books you want, but it does have summaries that are a page or two long, and it's free. You can also receive them via email. URL: http://www.freebooksummaries.com/sample.htm ===== Hope that helps! TexasT fellow linguist of sorts - hey, it's a different lingo down here! ;-) . |
| Subject:
Re: where are book summaries on line?
From: voila-ga on 19 Jun 2002 16:09 PDT |
Mea culpa, Gary. They're painting my apartment and I believe the
fumes may have gotten to me I pressed the "answer" button instead of
the "comment" button. Please feel free to reject this answer as it's,
too, not altogether on the nose.
However, I do believe you have a novel idea here and should get to the
copyright office immediately {metaphorically speaking}. Since
researching this question for almost a month now, I feel comfortable
saying your particularly outlined review site does not exist, but your
competition is steadily gaining on you -- witness the new "excerpt
feature" on USA Today since you originally posed this question. Only
in combining in a variety of features from websites already listed
here would you find something that you're remotely after.
Best of luck with that!
V |
| Subject:
Re: where are book summaries on line?
From: texast-ga on 26 Jun 2002 22:20 PDT |
. Here are a couple of other sites - still not quite what you're after, but they might be of some help. The "Digested Read" at the Guardian's Books Unlimited has 400-word summaries of books "Condensed in the style of the original" - or so they claim. Not sure if they'll have the books you're looking for, or if the books they DO have will help you, but here's the URL for what it's worth (at least they're free): http://books.guardian.co.uk/digestedread/archive/0,8136,379754,00.html Here's a place that does reviews, rather than summaries, but with a twist - they give links to reviews in the media and even have quotes from them, then add their own review to those. Check out the page on "The Emperor of Ocean Park" at: http://www.complete-review.com/reviews/popus/cartersl.htm#summaries TexasT . |
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