CISCO PRESS

Reviewer Guidelines

Interested in reviewing Cisco Press titles? We send YOU new titles and in return, we get YOUR valued feedback! Your comments and suggestions are greatly appreciated. Please contact if you're interested in participating.

Review Process

  1. Cisco Press will provide you with a complimentary copy for your review.
  2. You will be asked to write a review (500-1000 words)
  3. Send an electronic copy of the review (as a Word document) to listing your name, Cisco Certifications attained, title, company, user group name, book title, ISBN, and where you are submitting the review.
  4. Submit the review to Amazon.com as well as one other site of your choice: Slashdot.org, BarnesandNoble.com, Bookpool.com, Cisco User Group sites, newsgroups, magazines, or other online sites. In an effort to build recognition within their online communities, these sites require end users to submit their own reviews and will not accept reviews submitted by Cisco Press. Once your review is published on one of these sites, please send the link(s) to with permission to use your review in marketing collateral as appropriate
  5. Your review may be posted on ciscopress.com, and potentially informit.com.
Specifics of Reviewing for Certain Publications

Amazon

  • Review guidelines
  • The recommended length is 75 to 300 words; the maximum is 1,000 words.
  • Once you register and search for the title you are reviewing, you’ll scroll down to “Spotlight or Customer Reviews” on the book page. Click “Write an online review” and complete the form to submit your review.
Slashdot

Slashdot does not write in-house reviews of books, but accepts member-written reviews via the web site.

  • Review Guidelines:
  • Submission Page: -- be sure to choose “Books” and the “Book Reviews” from the corresponding pull-down menus.

Barnes & Noble

  • Review guidelines
  • Once you register and search for the title you are reviewing, you’ll scroll down to “Write your own online review” on the book page. You’ll be asked to fill in a form to complete the review.

Bookpool

Once you register and search for the title you are reviewing you’ll scroll down to “Write a Review” on the book page

Review guidelines

Customers can only write one review of up to 400 words for each book.

TCP Magazine

Contact Becky Nagel, Editor:

Dr. Dobbs Journal Magazine

Review guidelines at:

Windows and .NET Magazine

If you really enjoy the book, then you may want to consider submitting the title to the magazine’s "What’s Hot" column. The magazine’s prerequisites for a submission are

  • You feel like this book has changed your IT experience by saving you time or easing your daily burden
  • You feel that others should know about the book.
  • Product suggestions can be submitted to .
Topics to Address in Your Review
  • Is the title accurate?
  • What level of experience is needed to use the information in the book? Who will find it most useful? Is there an existing, canonical book that already covers the same material?
  • Is the book readable, as well as technically accurate? Is the language stilted, or natural? Are examples easy to follow?
  • Are the illustrations appropriate and well-executed?
  • Do any extras come with the book, like a CD-ROM or code samples?
  • How might you be able to use this title specifically in your career or in pursuing certification?
  • Would you pursue reading titles by this author in the future? Why or why not?
  • What's missing from the book? Would it benefit from illustrations, a better index, a final chapter on practical applications?
  • Please rate this title from 1-5, 5 being the highest.
  • Overall opinionwould you recommend the title and why?

Notes on Style & Mechanics

Readability and flow are important. Strive for correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation in your review. Be extra-careful with the name of the author and the title of the book. Write conversationally but seriously, make sure to include the ISBN, publisher, and other details that will help readers locate the book for themselves.