I am not against critical or even harsh reviews (see here, here, here, etc)...when the target is in position to take the punches (and even retaliate in kind). I have also argued that critical book reviews ought to play a more significant role in the discipline. But this review is inexcusably mean-spirited, especially because the target is clearly a junior scholar (and whose career may well be damaged by it). So, Dr. Lloyd Newton, Associate Professor, you are an ass!
The folk at NDPR goofed in their choice of reviewers (given that the reviewer so clearly states his lack of interest in the topics discussed).
UPDATE: I don't really intend to make this a weekly update. (I have plenty of enemies as is!)
UPDATE on 25 Jan: To be clear on why I call it "mean spirited." The review says NOTHING positive about the book. Moreover, the reviewer cannot bring himself to look at the merits of the project from within (in the spirit of the principle of charity).
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