I read a lot of books. But when I try to write a book review, I get all academic. For some reason, I feel like I have to write a treatise. So I thought I would try something new: a video book review.
reader and can’t see this video, then click here.
I shamelessly stole this idea from Chris Brogan, one of my favorite bloggers. He frequently does two-minute book reviews—on video. He simply tells you a little bit about the book and what he thought of it. I thought, Perfect! This will work great for me.
I’ve tried to do the same thing here with The Hole in Our Gospel by Rich Stearns. I am hoping that this is the first of many book reviews.
By the way, for a limited time, we have included the book in the NelsonFree program. When you buy the book, you will also receive $92.00 worth of free downloadable products, including the audio book format, and several e-Book formats (E-Pub, PDF, and the Kindle-compatible MobiPocket). This offer ends on July 1, 2009.
Also, if you are a blogger, you can get a FREE copy of the book to review. Just visit our Book Review Bloggers site to find out how.
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Someone may have planted the idea with you, but I applaud your decision to use it. Two minutes is a good length and the benefits of the communicates of expression and voice reflection helps. I wished I had this ability when I reviewed The Noticer.
Love the video review! I often skim book review because they get to academic. This was perfect. I may have to steal the idea from you :)
The book sounds fantastic. I've been writing and thinking a lot about the James 1:27 call recently (see my post My Adoption Story it's why I love World Vision and IJM http://nicolenwick.wordpress.com/my-adoption-stor... ) and am looking forward to reading Sterns book.
Nicole
http://nicolenwick.wordpress.com
I like it. Love the intro and exit bumper. Well done. Looks like your Flip HD camera is working well.
Thanks, Daniel. I wish the Flip Video camera had an external mic jack. I think the sound would be better with a mic that was on my shirt. But Gail says I'm over-thinking it. Part of the magic of Chris Brogan's videos is that he doesn't over-produce them. Alas, that is y Achilles heel!
I agree in it being fine not being over produced. Maybe that's the perfectionist in you. :) Raw and real is acceptable, often preferred these days it seems. Having said that, I also wish the Flip had an external mic jack to improve audio level (reducing the hollow background) when inside shooting. Might be the room selection (acoustics). I just watched a video from Keith Ferrazzi that was done with a Flip HD and his audio sounded pretty solid.
I'm going to give my MacBook Pro iSight camera a shot, too. I will be closer to the camera, but I can run an external mic through my USB port.
By the way, the Flip Video has an external TV jack. It would be cool if this could double as an external mic jack with some kind of converter.
I agree that the sound could be better. You might try shelding the camera with something, so the mic won't pick up so much sound echoing from the sides and back. It isn't the best solution, but some people claim success using other mics.
I echo your sentiments about The Hole in Our Gospel. I am trudging through it and loving every minute of it. It is interesting, challenging, and inspiring. I have recommended it to so many people because I believe is an essential message that American Christians need to hear today.
I like this new addition, and look forward to watching more Book Notes episodes in the future. I also agree with Daniel that the bumpers are a nice touch.
Great review Michael.
A couple of comments:
1) Don't hold the book in front of your face, it just didn't work quite right, there was a loss in sound quality and, more importantly, a loss in connection with you. When giving a massage, don't ever lose all physical contact with your client, when making a video review, don't put something between the camera and your face!
2) Listing the people who have endorsed the book does nothing for me. I don't trust endorsements as I figure they are from either a) friends of the author being nice or b) they've been paid in some way. That may not be true, but in this day and age, I've become cynical about such things. Just quoting Bono would have been enough.
3) Oh, no, that's it. It was great apart from those 2 points.
Thanks, Peter. I knew that about the book in front of my face the moment I saw it. I tried a few other takes, but they weren't as good as the first one.
You're probably right about the endorsements. Ordinarily they don't mean much to me either. In case, they were significant (or so I thought) because (a) there were so many and (b) they were so diverse.
I cracked up when you put the book in front of your face.
awesome idea
For some reason, I couldn't load the video from this site, so I went to you tube to find it (how's that for dedication?). I think if we move beyond looking just at material poverty as the hole in our gospel to understanding that every human being has the need to be loved not only by God, but also by God's people. Yes, we can give to meet the needs of those who have little to live on, and so we should. But, how about the people who surround us? How are we loving them? The world needs to understand that God loves each of us and that His love is absolute–perfect, complete, and real. So, let's patch all the holes and cover this world with the love of God.
awesome idea…i'm nearing the end of a video project for a homeless recovery facility here in wa state. the stories have opened my eyes. i truly live in a unique community where 100% of the recovery shelter is donated by the locals.
I'm sure I have OCD, but I re-shoot the video, using my MacBook Pro's iSight camera. I think the video and the audio are much better than the first version. I think I am also less formal. Peter_P (above) suggested that I not hold the book up over my face, so I didn't hold it up at all. I also put a caption under the video, so that those who couldn't see it in their RSS feed or email, could click and come to the post here to watch it.
And, of course, I saved all of this in a custom tag in ecto (my blogging program), so that I could re-use it when I do my next book review.
I'm sure I have OCD, but I re-shot the video, using my MacBook Pro's iSight camera. I think the video and the audio are much better than the first version. I think I am also less formal. Peter_P (above) suggested that I not hold the book up over my face, so I didn't hold it up at all. I also put a caption under the video, so that those who couldn't see it in their RSS feed or email, could click and come to the post here to watch it.
And, of course, I saved all of this in a custom tag in ecto (my blogging program), so that I could re-use it when I do my next book review.
Much, much better.
I do like the Bono quote, but it wouldn't have added much to the review and you were probably right to leave it out.
Looking forward to seeing how your vlogging skills develop as you post more video reviews!
I love this approach… I would definitely like to see you post more videos.
Thanks for always adding value to your readers! You're making a huge difference in the world!
Smile, Michael, smile! :)