Though I primarily enjoy reviewing works of fiction, I read nonfiction as well. While I intend to “review” these works, please understand that I am not reviewing the content of these books from a learned perspective. Many times, I am exploring these works as an introduction to a field or subfield. Even if I kind of know my way around the lingo or the main thoughtlines presented in them, I’m no more than a novice.* I have a fairly expansive set of interests: engineering, homesteading, gardening, history, philosophy, theology, fitness, nutrition, hiking and camping, etc. but I’m not an expert in any of them.

The skills required to review nonfiction only marginally overlap with those necessary for analyzing fictional works (whatever the medium), and in many cases only someone who has devoted themselves to that specific field is capable of offering valid critique. Thus, while as of this writing I am choosing to post reviews of nonfiction works on this site, I am doing so in full acknowledgment of my lack of expertise in any of the subjects covered in them.

My opinions are based on my own (often limited) understanding of the subjects and what’s presented within the work. I may be surprised to learn something that seems trivial. I may misunderstand something entirely. I might not know that I am being misled when an author purposefully omits something that they do not wish to address.

My goal here is not to provide thorough critical analyses of these works, but to extract and present what I took away from them or how I found them to be useful; to keep a record of the thoughts I had while reading them. Perhaps, if you enjoy reading my usual fare, my opinions on these other works may help you decide if they are worth your time or not.

Additionally, since I’m often lacking the necessary background to review a work, it usually feels dishonest or misleading to give it a grade, so I will not be giving a letter grade to nonfiction works as I would a film or a novel.

*By nonfiction I am primarily thinking of works with a goal other than entertainment. Many nonfiction books are meant to be read primarily as entertainment. Such books are almost as much of a work of art as one of genuine fiction. They are not the subject of my comments above.