From the point of view of a publisher, and of our authors, this seems
like a pretty good idea. No one likes waiting 2-3 years to see books
reviewed. Anything that can speed that process is a good idea,
especially if the journal announces to its subscribers what books are
available for review on line and how to access them. 

As Vergil indicates, it has always been a struggle for journal editors
to have a proper book review section yet not significantly cut into
editorial pages for refereed articles. This also ameliorates that
problem. 

mitch allen

--- "Vergil E. Noble" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> A decision was made some time ago to publish them as pdf files on the
> SHA's
> website, which shouldn't be all that obscure if you're a member. They
> are
> assigned to particular journal issues, and paginated as if pulled
> directly
> out of the bound version. This saves a considerable amount on
> printing
> costs (over 70 pages in the case of vol 41, no 2), as well as
> postage,
> which was part of the rationale. As a former reviews editor for the
> journal, I can also say that--largely because of space
> constraints--it was
> not unusal for three years to pass after the publication date before
> a
> review would appear in the journal. That sort of time lag diminishes
> the
> relevance of any review to the journal readership, and this new
> policy
> gives one hope that they will come out in a more timely fashion.
> 
> 
> 
> 
>                                                                      
>                                                           
>                       [log in to unmask]                              
>                                                           
>                       V                        To:      
> [log in to unmask]                                                     
>  
>                       Sent by:                 cc:       (bcc: Vergil
> Noble/MWAC/NPS)                                           
>                       HISTORICAL               Subject:  Re: SHA
> Journal                                                        
>                       ARCHAEOLOGY                                    
>                                                           
>                       <[log in to unmask]                              
>                                                           
>                       >                                              
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>                                                           
>                       12/19/2007 09:17                               
>                                                           
>                       AM MST                                         
>                                                           
>                       Please respond to                              
>                                                           
>                       HISTORICAL                                     
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>                       ARCHAEOLOGY                                    
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> 
> 
> 
> 
> Mornin'  -
> 
> Did I miss something?
> 
> Does the SHA journal no long include published book reviews?
> 
> Are they only available on some obscure WEB site?
> 
> Carl Barna
> Lakewood, CO
> 


Mitch Allen
Publisher
Left Coast Press, Inc.
1630 N. Main Street, #400
Walnut Creek, California 94596
925 935-3380 phone and fax
[log in to unmask]
www.LCoastPress.com