The First Ten Focus Group Feedback for Make The Dirt Fly: One Family’s Adventure During the Building of the Panama Canal
Because Make The Dirt Fly was Book of the Day, some of our most trusted members have carefully looked over the cover, the description, and other aspects of this book as a part of purchase-intent focus group. We then asked each participant in the focus group if they planned to buy and read the book, and why they planned to buy and read the book or not. Their answer to that question and reasons are displayed below. We call this awesome feature The First Ten Focus Group.
Keep in mind, the responses from the members are not reviews. This is purchase-intent focus group which means the participants are people who have NOT yet bought or read your book. A purchase-intent focus group is an important and extremely useful marketing tool for any product, not just books. For other products, you might walk on the street and show people an item in a package and poll them about whether they would buy if or $X or not. These kind of focus groups are one of the ways big marketing companies find the ideal price points for products and test the effectiveness of different packaging. The focus group can help you identify your market so you how to target ads of your book, and it can (but may not) provide you new useful info about your "packaging" (e.g. your book cover, your book synopsis on Amazon, etc.). The point of the focus group comments is to give you information from people who have not bought or read your book about why they plan to buy your book which will help you in marketing the book. These are not reviews or critiques of your book because they are not from people have read the book. This is a marketing tool, not reviews. The trick of book marketing and book advertising is that you have to convince people who have not read your book yet that your book is worth buying and reading. For marketing, it doesn't matter much if people love your book after reading it if you cannot convince potential buyers before they read it that they will love it.
IMPORTANT: Any score over 10% is considered very good. And any score above 0% is acceptable. This is because we only poll about 20 or so readers, and all readers have to say "no" to almost all books. Over a million books are published each year. Even a very active reader cannot come close to even reading 1% of books out there.
This is also why publishing books is such a tough industry.
Ekta Kumari
The book details one family's trials and tribulations as their life takes drastic turns during the time of construction of the Panama Canal. The book details a very important part of history, but I wouldn't have read it as I'm not into historical fictions. The thing I liked the most while sampling, though, is how detailed the author is in portraying the familial relationships and their lifestyle before jumping into the main plot. So, it seems the book has a healthy touch of intimate connections and emotions related to it. However, I wouldn't read the whole book as I'm not into historical fiction. I didn't see any errors, so I would rate the book as professionally edited. I did see an official review as well.
First Ten review added on August 24, 2020, at 4:59 am by Ekta Kumari.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
va2016
The cover and the title are not indicative of the theme of the book. There are only two Amazon customer ratings, which is not a sufficient number for me to decide to sample the book. The Amazon summary provides a clear description of the content of the book, which is about the people's struggle while participating in building of the Panama Canal. As I am interested in this topic, I would have sampled the book even if not for the First Ten program. As I sampled through the book, I found the narration describing Jan's fascination with USA being able to do anything, and his wife wondering about his recent lifestyle changes. As I am interested in the theme of the book, I am going to read this book in full. I found the sample professionally edited. There were no mechanical or grammatical errors. What I liked most about the book is its theme about the Panama canal. I don't have any suggestions for the improvement of the book. Although I found one OBC review of the book, my decision to read the book in full is based on my own sampling.
First Ten review added on August 24, 2020, at 4:56 am by va2016.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Alice Heritage
I probably wouldn't have sampled this book on my own as I don't normally read historical fiction. Having sampled the first ten pages, I probably also won't read the rest of it as it seems more of a memoir, which doesn't represent my usual reading preference. The text appears professionally edited, though "wits' end" perhaps seems more likely than "wit's end". I liked the descriptions, for example the details of the food that Jan was eating in Panama - his enthusiasm for the Americans' ability to do anything was also touching. Nothing really needs to be improved; I was a little confused that one of the author's children was referred to as "Sister" and wondered if that was actually her name. Some clarification on that point might be welcome. The OBC review was informative, but my decision was primarily based on the sample.
First Ten review added on August 24, 2020, at 4:55 am by Alice Heritage.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Jeremie Mondejar
The title looks discuss on serious matters. I was glad to hear how the people built the Panama Canal. They sacrifice for next the generation to come. Indeed, the Panama Canal is very useful today. I couldn't imagine how the husband made sacrifices for the sake of his family. I liked how the author made her take. It's not boring, and make me want to read the rest of the book. Though I'm quite selective in reading about this genre, but the OBC review piqued my interest. I wanted to know more about how the was built. I didn't notice any typos. The book is well-written. For improvement, the cover photo isn't eye-catching, if possible to modify it.
First Ten review added on August 24, 2020, at 4:51 am by Jeremie Mondejar.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Vickie Noel
I wouldn't have read this book outside the program based on its cover art. The title sounds figurative -holding deeper meaning- but the cover looks rather boring. Reading the sample, though, has improved my perception of the book. I enjoyed the story as well as the author's tone and writing style. An evidence of her descriptive prowess is present in this sentence, "Having grown up amid hard work and pioneer conditions, I had the good sense to wait patiently until the man's feelings would boil over into my ears instead of being pumped into that organ." Sampling this book has stimulated my interest in researching into the documented history of the Panama Canal, and I'm happy I have this book as the record of someone with associated real-life experience to further throw the event into clearer perspective. I didn't spot a single grammatical error and will safely declare Make the Dirt Fly a professionally edited book. I also have no recommendations for improvement. I saw an OBC review which piqued my interest. Then, the sample retained and solidified it.
First Ten review added on August 24, 2020, at 4:34 am by Vickie Noel.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
ritah
Based on the cover and title, I wouldn't have sampled the book because it didn't appeal to me. After reading the official review, I sampled Make The Dirt Fly. I liked Jan's enthusiasm for America and the thought that anything was possible. I also liked that before the end of the month, Jan left for Panama like he said he would. I did not spot any obvious errors in the pages I read nor did I see any areas that needed improving. However, I won't be able the rest of the book because I didn't feel compelled to keep reading after the first chapter.
First Ten review added on August 24, 2020, at 4:19 am by ritah.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
edztan15
Learning from the review and blurb of the book that it is about the construction of the Panama Canal, my initial reaction was that I couldn't care less about it. I like historical fiction books as long as I can relate to them, and I don't think I can relate even a little bit to this one. Reading the first ten pages, I found it to be more in the style of a memoir. I was not really interested in the conversations between the characters, and the mantra "In America, anything is possible" seems to have been overdone in the first chapter in my opinion. I'm also not sure if there is a significant plot in the book that will keep me glued to it, despite it being well-edited, hence, I will take a pass on this one.
First Ten review added on August 24, 2020, at 4:12 am by edztan15.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Sonya Nicolaidis
While I didn’t find the front cover design of this book at all appealing, it did receive a very good review from the OBC reviewer, and so I was optimistic when I began the sample. Any book that delves into history is usually a favorite of mine, although the history of the Panama Canal is not something I’ve ever been curious about. I probably would have picked this book up for a closer look. The sample read exceptionally well, and the reader is drawn into the story from the outset. I liked how the author uses strong descriptives to set the mood of the era, as well as life in Nebraska before the family set out for Panama. From the sample, it seems like it’s going to be a very interesting novel. I didn’t see any grammatical errors, and just one instance of irregular word spacing between “. . . down in Panama?” Panama, Panama . . .” but this doesn’t affect my impression that the book was professionally edited. There was nothing I didn’t like about the sample, but if I were to suggest any improvements, I would recommend a little background history to the building of the canal, going back a bit further than what was included. This could give curious readers a clearer picture of the steps leading up to the main construction work described in this book. I enjoyed the sample but that’s where it would end. I wouldn’t commit too much time in reading a whole book about a topic that I’m not terribly interested in, when a quick search on Wikipedia might suffice.
First Ten review added on August 24, 2020, at 4:05 am by Sonya Nicolaidis.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Aubrey Lewis
The overall appearance of the book is simple and neat, but not very eye-catching, in my opinion. When I read through the official OBC review, I felt that I wouldn't be able to appreciate the book since I'm not very fond of reading historical fiction. If I weren't a part of this program, I wouldn't have read the sample at all because the genres aren't my cup of tea and the book's cover and summary did not interest me enough to try it out willingly.
When I finished sampling the first ten pages, I decided to read the rest of the book. The contents seemed professionally edited so far, and I was surprised at how simple yet beautiful the author's writing style was. The paragraphs were soft and engaging as well as easy to follow. Kate's perspective on things in regards to her husband Jan's decision to work on the Panama Canal evoked emotions in me that caused me to relate to her internal feelings. I felt her doubt and anxiety when she was deciding whether or not it was a good idea to go to her husband and stay there with him along with their children. Overall, it has been a surprisingly pleasant read for me, so I will continue reading this one.
Since I enjoyed the sample so far, I don't think there are any improvements the author needs to make.
First Ten review added on August 24, 2020, at 3:45 am by Aubrey Lewis.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Fu Zaila
The cover doesn't speak much, and could use improvement. The description was pretty compelling, and so were the reviews. Like the official review stated, the writing was descriptive and very engaging. I didn't find any errors, except the sentence "Panama, Panama, which way is Panama from here?", which seemed to have been a formatting error while viewing on Kindle. The narrator's name wasn't mentioned from what I read so far. Jan's enthusiasm about his country and Teddy Roosevelt was quite unnerving to be frank. The narrator's anxiousness about her children and herself being separated from her husband, and how she relates it to her parents who migrated to America, was quite touching. There wasn't anything to dislike. I'm not very interested in learning about the construction of Panama Canal or the history behind it, so I wouldn't be reading further.
First Ten review added on August 24, 2020, at 3:03 am by Fu Zaila.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
MeganDJ
Had I not read the first 10 pages, I probably would have given this book a miss from the title and cover. Its uninteresting, generic layout and look did not excite me enough to dive into this one. However I am glad I did read the first 10, as the writing knocked my socks off, so to speak. The reader is in the heart and mind of a wife, who's husbands' pride of his country spurs him to take up a position of a worker who's commissioned to help build the great canal. I felt the wife's emotions of being both supportive, and panicked at the thought of her husband's departure from his family. This instant connection fuels me to read the rest of the book. I believe this book was well-edited as I did not find a single error. I don't believe anything can be improved upon as of yet. Yes it did have an Online Book Revierw, and I agreed with the reviewers perspective.
First Ten review added on August 24, 2020, at 2:27 am by MeganDJ.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
AvidBibliophile
The cover art seems to successfully blend one of President Roosevelt's slogans with a clearly stated indication of this book's overall focus. The Amazon product description throughly entices prospective readers with mentions of the "unconquerable fortitude and intrepid spirit" displayed by the women who supported the American male builders of the Panama Canal. New ventures throughout history have always been capable of igniting spirits and fueling feelings of exuberance, but some restless wanderers will always possess the insatiable desire to strike out on their own and pursue even greater destinies. This story seems to document and pay homage to just that. I appreciated seeing genuinely accurate, descriptive details like "slicing roast beef with a flourish" (during pioneer times), before transitioning to the moldy coats and malaria maladies of Panama. This book appears to have been professionally edited. The one published OBC review is quite persuasive in tone and content, and the 2 currently posted Amazon user ratings are equally complimentary and offer positive recommendations. I do enjoy authentically captivating works of historical fiction. I plan to fully read all of this compelling novel featuring American patriotism and the indomitable spirit of all involved.
First Ten review added on August 24, 2020, at 2:21 am by AvidBibliophile.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Aditi Sapate
When it comes to history, I invariably prefer reading non-fiction books as opposed to fiction. Thus, I wouldn't have chosen to read this book based on the title, cover and genre. The official OnlineBookClub review summarized the book well. When I started sampling the book, I liked how the author didn't beat around the bush when it came to Jan's leaving home for the construction. I also realize that Jan's wife and children are about to embark on an adventurous journey. However, due to my own personal preference of reading non-fiction books, I won't be reading this book. The sample did not contain any grammatical errors. I do believe, a historical-fiction buff will really enjoy reading this book.
First Ten review added on August 24, 2020, at 1:44 am by Aditi Sapate.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
xsquare
Admittedly, I am not very familiar with the history of the Panama Canal, but I was very intrigued by the premise after reading the official OBC review. The cover is a little plain, but the title and blurb are interesting enough. I don’t usually read historical fiction (I rarely find them realistic), but the book appears quite promising based on the official OBC review as well as other ratings. Upon sampling the first ten pages, I was immediately pulled in by the author’s engaging style of writing. Despite only sampling the first few pages, I loved how realistic the novel seemed: the setting, the motivations of the different characters and the circumstances all felt very real to me. I did not find any typos, and I don’t think that there are any areas for improvement. This book is definitely going on my to-read shelf.
First Ten review added on August 24, 2020, at 1:29 am by xsquare.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Annelore Trujillo
I would not have sampled this book based on the genre, blurb, OBC review, cover and title. I don’t usually read historical fiction, and this story of the Panama Canal didn’t seem like one I’d be interested in. After reading the first ten pages, I will be finishing this book. I was surprised at how interested I was. Jan’s enthusiasm was really refreshing to read about. Even in dire conditions, he was excited about his job and role in building the canal. Most people would’ve given up. Even his wife caught on and decided to move there too. I want to see how this adventure goes for them. There wasn’t anything I didn’t like so far. The book did seem to be professionally edited.
First Ten review added on August 24, 2020, at 12:37 am by Annelore Trujillo.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
unamilagra
Before sampling this book, I may have picked it up. The cover would not draw me to it, but I like historical fiction and the OBC review made it sound very interesting. In reading the first ten pages, I liked the setting of the book. I know almost nothing about the Panama Canal construction, and I didn't realize the French had tried to complete it first. I also liked wry narration done by Kate. I think I will continue reading this book to see where it goes. I didn't notice any errors in the pages I read.
First Ten review added on August 23, 2020, at 10:34 pm by unamilagra.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Sarah_Khan
The cover and title of this book are average. After reading the Amazon blurb, I would not have went ahead and sampled this book because the plot does not intrigue me. The first ten pages are professionally edited. Reading about Jan's patriotism was a little bittersweet considering the times we live in now. The OBC review was favorable, but it did not change my mind. Overall, I do not know anything about the Panama Canal and I can't say that I am interested in finding out more. Therefore, I do not intend to read the rest. I do not have any suggestions for the author.
First Ten review added on August 23, 2020, at 5:44 pm by Sarah_Khan.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
MsH2k
Neither the title nor the cover attracted me to this book, and I wasn’t interested in a book about the Panama Canal at this time, so I would not have sampled this book if I were not part of this program. The sample pages surprisingly captured my attention. I connected with Jan and Kate. Kate seemed to be a sensible woman who picked her battles wisely, and I loved Jan’s exuberance. I don’t know very much about the history of the Panama Canal—we seemed to have rushed over it in history class when I was in school. It will be interesting to learn more about it through the eyes of this family. I enjoyed the introduction to this book and appreciated the author’s work to update her grandmother’s story. I will finish this book. I did not notice any grammatical errors in the sample pages—the book was well written. I have no suggestions for improvement. The featured OnlineBookClub review reinforced my decision to finish this book.
First Ten review added on August 23, 2020, at 5:26 pm by MsH2k.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Melisa Jane
I would have sampled this book based on its cover because I love adventure novels. After sampling it, I'm going to finish reading it because I'm curious to read more about Jan's excitement about America. I liked the smooth conversation between Jan and the narrator. I don't have any improvement suggestions. I didn't find any grammatical errors while reading. This book has an official OBC review.
First Ten review added on August 23, 2020, at 1:35 pm by Melisa Jane.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Sanju Lali
Nothing was evident to me from the cover and the title what the book is about because " Make The Dirt Fly " meant many things to me. Therefore, I wanted to read the official review of this book to know more about its contents. The official review was helpful enough to let me know that this book takes us back to the year 1905 when the construction of the Panama Canal was going on. The story follows Jan, who takes up the responsibility of constructing this canal. This idea motivated me to sample the book by reading the first ten pages for making a buying decision. After reading the first ten pages, I found that this book was professionally edited because grammatical errors were not found in it. The thing l liked the most in this book is the excellent writing style that gave me rich sensory details. The living condition, food, water, and basic amenities at Isthmus of Panama during 1905 was nicely depicted. My suggestion to the author would be to give more details about Jan's education and his previous professional experience. Noting all these aspects of the book, I decided to purchase and read this book today.
First Ten review added on August 23, 2020, at 12:06 pm by Sanju Lali.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Mrunalpatki
I like the title, but I expected to see a picture of the Panama Canal on the cover. That would have been a more-fitting cover, in my opinion. I read the official OBC review and 2 chapters from the book. I found it to be well-edited. I will not be reading the rest of this book as I am not so inclined to read the history of the Panama canal. Also, the chapters I read were more descriptive, with not enough dialogue between characters. This kind of story lessens my interest in reading it. I enjoy the good dialogue between characters.
First Ten review added on August 23, 2020, at 11:12 am by Mrunalpatki.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Leen282
While the review is positive, the historical background is not very interesting to me. The first pages of the book come with long sentences and multiple adjectives. This is not a writing style I appreciate, but I can see the appeal to amateurs of the genre. I will not continue reading this book.
I didn't find any errors.
First Ten review added on August 23, 2020, at 10:53 am by Leen282.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Jsovermyer
The cover and title are not appealing. I would not chose this book based on the cover alone. The official review talked about the heat, rain, and critters. This also didn't make the book sound like something I wanted to read. It is a story of workers on the Panama Canal and the hardships their families endured to support them. They faced brutual heat, terrible living conditions, and lots of bugs, snakes, and animals. I didn't find any grammatical or spelling errors and believe the book has been professionally edited. When I started reading, I found the story engrossing and so compelling I read a fourth of the book before I stopped to write this review. I plan to finish the story.
First Ten review added on August 23, 2020, at 10:17 am by Jsovermyer.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
moowshiri
First and foremost, I wouldn't have given the book a second look based on its cover. It isn't very interesting and needs some improvement. After sampling the first ten pages, I loved Hardeveld's decision to start the storyline with a brief background story on what led to Jan's departure to the isthmus of Panama. However, I wouldn't say I liked that the author fails to distinguish the titles/chapter headers from the rest of the story. She should have put them in bold. I also liked the fact that I didn't find any errors in grammar. The book also has an official review from the OnlineBookClub team. Nonetheless, I won't be reading it to its last page since I didn't find the storyline striking.
First Ten review added on August 23, 2020, at 9:05 am by moowshiri.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Kajori Sheryl Paul
Rose van Herdeveld wrote 'Make the Dirt Fly'. It revolves around Katherine, Jan, and their two daughters. Jan is a recently neutralized American. He has high hopes for America. One day, he informs Katherine that he wished to take up the humongous job of building the Panama Canal. I like the was the book is written from Katherine’s point of view. The inner struggle that she has is evident. There were no errors. So, I believe that it is professionally edited. The title and cover are apt for the book. The OBC review and Amazon reviews were detailed. They gave me an idea about the subject matter. I will give this book a try as I love historical fiction novels.
First Ten review added on August 23, 2020, at 7:22 am by Kajori Sheryl Paul.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Lorraine De Vos
I would not have chosen to sample this book based on the title and cover. The first ten pages were fascinating. I loved how artistically descriptive the author’s writing style was, and it is truly emotionally gripping. It takes a special kind of person to persevere through the weather and living conditions Panama presented centuries ago and this tale follows the account of one such family. The book does appear to be professionally edited. The official OnlineBookClub review was glowing and confirmed that I will be adding this book to my reading list. I have no recommendations for improvements.
First Ten review added on August 23, 2020, at 5:01 am by Lorraine De Vos.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
evraealtana
The cover is nondescript, so I wouldn't have picked the book up for myself. In the first ten pages, I could definitely see why the official OBC review had lauded the author's writing style; I found it captivating, although I wasn't very invested in the story. I knew that Katherine and the children would eventually be moving to Panama, but as I read the letters she received from Jan, I found myself sorely hoping that they wouldn't, particularly when she said that the decision to go would be "mine as well as his". I wish more discussion had been given to Katherine's internal struggle when relocating her precious, tiny children to a place about which she knows nothing beyond her husband's hellacious descriptions and the copious misfortunes that have befallen him while there. I didn't really dislike anything in the first ten pages, but I am not really invested in the story at this point, so I will not continue reading the book. I found no errors, but I did notice that the narrator discusses "sulphur" immediately after saying that she came to America as a child and therefore spoke perfect American English; in that case, she should spell it "sulfur".
First Ten review added on August 23, 2020, at 3:47 am by evraealtana.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
gen_g
Based on the title and cover, it seems like an adventure fiction type of book, which I am not in the market for; hence, I would not have sampled it. I have also come across a positive review of the book, but this would not have changed my decision not to sample, since this book does not belong to a genre that I am looking for. After sampling, there are a couple of errors present. For example, at loc 20, "...on the wrap around porch..." should be "on the wraparound porch...", i.e., "wraparound" is one single word. I would suggest more editing. I appreciated the author's attempt to provide some background context about how the book came about – this will help the readers to better relate with the story and its characters. For example, we learn that the author's grandmother, Gramma Van, went to live with the author and her family during the last years of her life. Gramma Van taught the author how to read, and Gramma Van also told the author stories about from Kipling, poems by Kilmer, as well as other assorted tales. However, as I am currently not in the market for fiction about Panama Canal, I will not be reading the rest of the book.
First Ten review added on August 23, 2020, at 3:21 am by gen_g.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Elvis Best
Based on the book's title and cover, I would not have read it because I did not find the title to be catchy enough. Nonetheless, reading the first ten pages changed my mind, as I found the book very interesting. The way the author described her husband's experiences at Panama was interesting to me. Also, I believe the book has been professionally edited, as I found no errors in the first ten pages. The one thing I liked most was the dialogue in the book, as they sounded real and intriguing to me. Consequently, I couldn't possibly suggest any improvements to the book at this stage. I did read an Official OnlineBookClub review that I think presented the book very well.
First Ten review added on August 23, 2020, at 3:05 am by Elvis Best.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Shrabastee Chakraborty
While the cover can be considered ambiguous, the reviews and the blurb held my attention. The official OBC review rates it a full 4 stars. Based on these, I would have read the book. The first ten pages were without editing issues. They show Jan, who believes anything is possible in America, especially under Theodore Roosevelt's presidency. He tries to convince his wife that the project to build Panama canal would succeed. He is inclined to join it. I loved that the author has written this from her own experiences. The premise and the writing style, both seemed alluring. I would definitely read this book.
First Ten review added on August 23, 2020, at 2:54 am by Shrabastee Chakraborty.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Rodel Barnachea
I usually enjoy reading books that are “rich in sensory details” (as the official OBC review states); however, I will not be buying this book today. I am not exactly interested in knowing what happened during the construction of the Panama Canal. After sampling the book’s first ten pages, my decision firmly stands. The sample I read is told through the first-person perspective of Jan’s wife and is about Jan and his unwavering patriotism to the United States of America. When he was offered to work on a government project in Panama, he accepted it. The best part of the sample is Jan’s enthusiasm for President Roosevelt and America itself. His eagerness is contagious; it made me feel as if the USA is a land full of opportunities. I didn’t catch any errors; I think the book is professionally edited. There is nothing I can suggest to improve the book.
First Ten review added on August 23, 2020, at 2:36 am by Rodel Barnachea.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Kaitlyn Canedy
As I am not into history that much, I likely would have skipped the sample of Make The Dirt Fly. I loved that the author used such vivid descriptions of what building the Panama Canal was like. The reason why this reasonated so well with me is because I read about it in history throughout my middle and high school career, but my teachers never emphazied just how hard it was for those that worked it. As of now, I will be skipping it due to my lack of interest in history. I did not see any grammatical errors at all, and I was not able to find any areas that needed improvement. There is an official OnlineBookClub review, but it was not enough to get me to change my mind about not reading the book. Readers that love history should read this one, as this audience may love what it has to offer.
First Ten review added on August 23, 2020, at 2:32 am by Kaitlyn Canedy.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
J_odoyo
Make the Dirt Fly is an engrossing historical fiction, seemingly well-written, that follows the story of the Panama Canal—joining two oceans: Atlantic and Pacific. Jan and Katherine are determined to be among those who make history by actively involving in the construction of the canal. Even though the environment is so unfavorable (steaming jungles, filthy native food, dangerous water, and deadly disease), they believe that everything is possible. I could have bought this book because I love well-written historical fiction, and this is one such. I liked the author’s description on the Amazon website; it was precise and informative enough to allow for an accurate guess of what to expect in the book. Its storyline is gripping and well written. The book also had an official OnlineBookClub review, which gave insight into what the book entails. I didn’t find any error, and I would say the book seemed to have been professionally edited. However, both the cover page and the title were not attractive, at least for me. I think the author should consider revising the title and the cover page to look a bit presentable and attractive, just as the content is. Having read the sample and the OnlineBookClub review, I’m going to finish reading this book, because I’m a fan of this genre.
First Ten review added on August 23, 2020, at 2:21 am by J_odoyo.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Chelsy Scherba
Katherine is surprised when Jan asks if she would like to go with him to Panama so he can work on the canal. She isn’t wild about the idea because it seems unnatural to change the land and connect two oceans, but her husband’s support of Roosevelt gives her no choice. The review was very positive and especially complimentary of the descriptive language the author implemented. I generally like history books, but I’m not really interested in reading this book today. I didn’t see any errors, so the book looks professionally edited. I would not have found this book outside of the program.
First Ten review added on August 23, 2020, at 12:58 am by Chelsy Scherba.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
elisathelvarik
I would not have chosen this book based on its title, cover, and description. I do not choose to buy historical novels, so I probably would not have given it another look. After reading the official review, I wanted the find out more about the vividly descriptive nature of the novel. The first page already establishes the personality of Jan and her adoration for Teddy Roosevelt. I'm not much into politics, so I have no opinion on this or other political topics in American history. I loved the attitude of each of the characters. They feel so realistic and human. This really makes the text come alive. Throughout the first ten pages, I felt like I was a part of their conversations about the Panama Canal. It was inspiring to read Jan's perky, can-do attitude. Even though I liked the characters, I do not think I will read the rest of the book right now. It sounds like an inspiring read, but I choose more fantasy books with entirely different worlds or romance. I just would not pick this book up often enough to finish it. I have no notes of improvement. I found no errors or typos. This book seems well-edited.
First Ten review added on August 23, 2020, at 12:11 am by elisathelvarik.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
CrescentMoon
After reading the blurb, I wouldn't pick this book up because I don't typically enjoy reading historical fiction so I'm not the target audience for this book. After reading the first ten pages, I spotted a few minor errors. In chapter one, "I had no trace of accent..." the word "an" should be added before the word "accent." There were also a lot of missing commas and commas that were misplaced. What I liked best about the book so far were the descriptions of daily life back in the past and also Jan's enthusiasm about living in America and his patriotism. I thought the author did a really great job describing the job and home life and how living in America was like back then, it really gives the feel of a historical genre. I also like the optimism about living in America and the excitement and opportunities America provides. The only suggestion I have for improvement is to fix the errors and edit more. There was an onlinebookclub review, but I'm not a fan of historical fiction so I won't be reading the rest.
First Ten review added on August 22, 2020, at 11:36 pm by CrescentMoon.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Kelyn
If I had not been a member of this program, it is unlikely that the genre, cover, title, or author would have prompted me to pick up this book. As I am not generally interested in historical fiction, the genre alone would likely have turned me away. The cover is somewhat nondescript and would not have caught my attention. The title is slightly intriguing, but would not have been enough to counter my hesitation about reading historical fiction. The author is unknown to me, so that would not have affected my decision. The blurb outlines the plot well, but a story surrounding the creation of the Panama Canal, even one centered on a single family's experiences, failed to capture my interest. There were only two customer reviews, and both were very complimentary of the book. However, one was from a self-proclaimed 'history buff' which, to me, explained his interest in the book. Although I did not see a review from this program, if I had, I would have been interested in what the reviewer had to say. The review was somewhat interesting. I was astonished that Jan would leave his wife and children alone to pursue what seemed to be a dream that was not shared by his wife. He basically abandoned them, then moved them from a comfortable home to what was, essentially, a hovel. It seemed misguided, at the least, and selfish as well. My dislike of the main character, coupled with the fact that historical fiction is not my favorite genre in the first place, led me to the decision not to finish the book. The book seemed well-edited. I found no countable errors in the sample.
First Ten review added on August 22, 2020, at 10:54 pm by Kelyn.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Juliana_Isabella
I wouldn't have chosen this book because I don't usually enjoy stories centered around historical events. Although the review I read was positive, it didn't make me want to read the book because I still don't think I'd be interested in the building of the Panama Canal. I didn't find any errors in the first ten pages, and I thought the different perspectives on immigration and America were interesting. However, I still don't enjoy books set in the past, so I won't be finishing this one.
First Ten review added on August 22, 2020, at 9:26 pm by Juliana_Isabella.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Catherine Hsu
If I had not read the sample, I would not have read the book as I did not think it was my genre and I also think the cover could be a lot better by adding some images. Although I appreciate the authentic "old-timey" writing style, I personally found the writing style hard to connect with, as they used a lot of passive voice. I think using more active voice and more varied sentence structures would help reading fluidity. Also, I think it might need some more editing as I also found inconsistency in punctuation, such as different types of dashes used here: "They had packed us up, lots of us – two younger than either of my children - and left their own native village and their home, friends, and relatives in Europe." I did not read an official review but that did not affect my decision.
First Ten review added on August 22, 2020, at 9:09 pm by Catherine Hsu.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
HRichards
I might have picked this book up since I enjoy historic fiction. Having read the OBC review of the book and the sample I will be continuing on with the book since it was well written and seemed interesting. The sample deals with the narrator and her husband, who is fascinated by new innovation, and his proposition that he leave their home and move to Central America so he can work on the Panama Canal. He goes off and leaves the family back in America. The writing is good and I didn't notice any grammar errors. Those who like historical fiction might like this book. I found the book interesting, though some might not be interested in the topic.
First Ten review added on August 22, 2020, at 8:49 pm by HRichards.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Mbrooks2518
I'm not a fan of historical fiction, so I would not have sampled this book without The First Ten. I did like the personality of the protagonist. She's very observant, noticing the change in Jan's mood through his organ playing. Also, she is accepting of her husband's dream but cautious about how it will affect their family.
After reading the first ten pages and the official review, I am still not interested in reading the rest of the book. I did not find any editing errors, and nothing needs to be improved.
First Ten review added on August 22, 2020, at 8:28 pm by Mbrooks2518.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Laura Lee
"Make the Dirt Fly" is a truly beautifully written narrative novel and (YES!) it's actually based on true events!! (The life of the author's grandmother.) I was so impressed with the content of the sample pages, but honestly, I was hooked from the description given in the Amazon blurb. To read about such an historical undertaking but from the viewpoint of the too-frequently-overlooked women was a rare treat.
The author has some very poetic turns of phrase, such as: "Back on the homestead in Nebraska, to wait as women have always waited since the beginning of time for the call to join my husband . . ." You can just feel the loneliness combined with stoicism in the narrator.
The review was very interesting but I disagree with one point. The reviewer said that the book had been professionally edited. I disagree. I will say that the book has been very carefully edited, but the punctuation typos are ones that no professional editor would overlook. That said, they aren't disruptive to the flow of the story. Aside from that, there was nothing I disliked.
The one thing I believe that could really use improvement is the cover. With such a unique book as this, a more professional cover, maybe even an image from the construction of the Panama Canal, or an image of the author's grandmother on whom the novel is based would be more attention-grabbing than what is there now.
Overall, an outstanding book I do intend to finish reading.
First Ten review added on August 22, 2020, at 7:54 pm by Laura Lee.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Theresa Moffitt
The cover and title of this book didn’t stand out to me. They don’t really tell me what the book is about and the colors of the cover didn’t catch my attention. I would not have picked this book up based on the cover alone. I haven’t read a customer review of this book yet, but the Online Book Club review rated the book 4 out of 4 stars. I didn’t see any errors in the first ten pages. I also didn’t see any area that the author could improve upon. The story begins with a family living in Wyoming that run a whistle stop. Katherine is the wife and mother is describing her husband Jan and their children. One day Jan brings up the possibility of quitting his job and going to work at the Alabama Canal. The first ten pages were interesting and well written, but didn’t draw me into the story enough to finish the book. I will not finish reading this book.
First Ten review added on August 22, 2020, at 6:48 pm by Theresa Moffitt.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Verna Coy
Had I not sampled this book through the First Ten program, I would have chosen it because the subtitle caught my attention.
For this reason, I intend to read the whole book. I received a free copy through the Online Book Club. Thanks!
Reading the first ten pages confirmed my first impressions that this book would contain interesting history on the building of the Panama Canal. The beginning of the book drew me into the story right away.
Based on what I read, the book seems professionally edited, although the Official Online Book Club review mentioned that it contains a few minor errors.
I didn’t see errors in the first ten pages.
What I liked most about what I read is how the main character’s American patriotism comes across to the reader so clearly and vividly.
I know that fans of history will enjoy this work immensely.
As far as improvements, aside from proofreading for the minor errors mentioned in the review, I could see no need for any in what I read.
I did read the Official Online Book Club review and found it insightful. It didn’t affect my views of the book.
First Ten review added on August 22, 2020, at 6:13 pm by Verna Coy.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Brenda Creech
I was drawn to this book by the title. As a historical fiction fan, I was interested in finding out what it was about. As I read the official review, I knew I would probably enjoy this book since it has no profanity. Reading the first ten pages made up my mind to read the entire book. I did not encounter any errors. The book is well-edited. I feel it is starting a little slow, but I hope the pace will pick up as I read. The author has a way of describing surroundings that helps the reader visualize what she is writing about. I didn't see anything that needs improvement. My favorite part was when Katherine and the girls were on the ship trying to walk around the deck against the wind. I am looking forward to reading the rest of this book.
First Ten review added on August 22, 2020, at 5:53 pm by Brenda Creech.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Tonika632
I would not sample this book because I don't like historical books. The first ten pages were great, but I am still not interested in it, and I will not read it. I love the fact that the author went through the story in real life. I also like the writing which is very simple, elegant, and in the first person. I would change nothing in it. This book has the official review. I have found no errors in it, and I can tell it is edited professionally.
First Ten review added on August 22, 2020, at 5:38 pm by Tonika632.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Jorge Leon Salazar
Initially, the story goes back to 1905 and tells about a couple, Jan and Katherine. Jan is of Dutch origin and expresses profound admiration for the Country and its President Theodore Roosevelt. Jan learns the United States obtained the project to build the Panama Canal and decides to enlist in it.
The first ten pages mainly tell about Jan's decision to travel to Panama and the letters he wrote to his wife about the adverse conditions he encountered. The story is properly narrated in the first-person perspective from Katherine's point of view. Her feelings are fascinating as while she wants to be with her husband but at the same is afraid of the unknown. She already knows from her husband's letters that Panama possesses unfavorable conditions. Fear invariably accompanied her.
The bit I read in these first pages already generates curiosity. The official review favors the book and encourages you to read it. However, it did not convince me completely. In a way, I think what is going to happen can be predictable. For the present, I don't think I will read the rest of the book at least not in the near future. The editing seems outstanding since I did not observe any details. I scarcely found the dotted dividing line strange at position 214. I suppose it is intentional, but I think it is unaesthetic. The cover is simple, traditional, and suitable for the content of the book.
First Ten review added on August 22, 2020, at 5:34 pm by Jorge Leon Salazar.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Odette Chace
From the title, I thought that this book was going to be about baseball or some other athletic sport. I was quite surprised to learn that this book is about the construction of the Panama Canal. The cover is a bit lackluster and I am not interested in the premise of the work. The official Online Book Club review gave the book a perfect rating of 4 out of 4 stars and had no criticism for the book. However, as the subject just doesn't interest me, I wouldn't normally sample this book. "I had no trace of [an] accent and hardly a memory of the Old Country" (pg. 1). Though I noticed an error, I believe the book to be professionally edited. I had a hard time focusing on the sample and don't plan to finish the book. However, I don't think that there is any particular problem with the book; the subject just doesn't interest me.
First Ten review added on August 22, 2020, at 5:14 pm by Odette Chace.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Twylla
I would buy and read this book because it is beautifully written, and I need to educate myself about the history of the Panama Canal.
My favorite thing about this book is watching the family respond to all of the new experiences in Panama – seeing the bats in their house the night they arrived, shopping for groceries, paying for items with a plug of tobacco.
This book could be improved by including photographs or even illustrations.
Based on the text I read, this book is well written and professionally edited. I read the first 19% of the book and I found two errors: (1) “We are batching together.” - If this referred to being bachelors together, it would be spelled, “bach-ing” [loc 260] (2) We could have spent hours experimenting with these sensitive [plans ] had not the children’s hunger urged us on. [this should be “plants”] [loc 398]
The official online book club review was very well written and represents the book well.
First Ten review added on August 22, 2020, at 4:20 pm by Twylla.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Diana Lowery
Although the cover is uninspiring, and I didn't understand the title until I read the blurb and realized that it was a Teddy Roosevelt quote, the review convinced me that I need to read this book. I learned a great deal about the Panama Canal just from reading the first ten pages, and I am convinced that the whole book would be both educational and entertaining. Although it seems to be well-edited, I did see an error on the acknowledgments page, "Several friends read it and [give] me feedback." The word should be "gave." Also, the word acknowledgments is misspelled.
First Ten review added on August 22, 2020, at 4:02 pm by Diana Lowery.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Emy Katherine
The story follows the journey of Rosina Mahr van Hardeveld and her family as they moved from Nebraska to Panama when her husband decided to participate in the construction of the Panama Canal in 1905. Based on the great Amazon ratings and positive OBC review, this is a well-written story of courage, sacrifice, perseverance, and survival. I would not have read the book without The First Ten Program, though. I am not interested in reading historical fiction novels, so I did not change my mind after reading the first ten pages and the OBC review. The writing style, however, was descriptive and engaging, and I had no problem connecting with Rosina's character. As I found some errors, I would only suggest another round of editing. For example, there should be a comma after "me" in the following sentence: "But to me they sounded like the howling of demons." (location 116 of 2479 • 5%) It should be written "Ferdinand de Lesseps" instead of "Ferdinand de Lasseps." (location 162 of 2479 • 6%) It should also be written "John Findley Wallace" instead of "John Findlay Wallace." (location 175 of 2479 • 7%)
First Ten review added on August 22, 2020, at 3:42 pm by Emy Katherine.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Howlan
The cover lacks character. The synopsis gives us a general introduction to this book. The first ten pages introduce us to Jan and his wife. Jan, an avid supporter of Theodore Roosevelt, takes an active part in the construction of the Panama Canal. He travels to the isthmus, leaving his family behind. The letters he sends home describes poor food and living conditions, rough weather, and disease. The first ten pages also contain a little historical significance of Panama. The narration is fluent and easy to understand. The characters seem decent, and the story is basically about the hardships of life in Panama. I am not going to buy and read this book as I am not interested in the story. The story is good, but I do not feel any enthusiasm in the storyline and no real hook to gain my interest. No typos were found in the first ten pages. I found nothing to improve in the first ten pages. The Official Review is present, and the reviewer rates it highly.
First Ten review added on August 22, 2020, at 3:24 pm by Howlan.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Laura Ungureanu
I was intrigued by this title, but the cover simply repelled me. Although my initial thought was to stay away from this book, the OBC review was wonderfully crafted and it managed to change my mind about this book. It lured me with its descriptive passages. The sample presents Katherine and Jan, husband and wife, deciding to go work at the Panama Canal. Jan was excited about the whole prospect of living in America, and he thought anything is possible here. Although I admire his patriotism, I do not share it, as I'm European. I liked the writing style, but this feels like a heavy read. I'm not that much of a history enthusiast, so I'll skip this opportunity. The sample was professionally edited.
First Ten review added on August 22, 2020, at 2:51 pm by Laura Ungureanu.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Kirsi Cultrera
I am usually a big fan of historical fiction, but somehow the slow pace on the first pages of this book did not manage to convince me to read further. I was hoping for an attention catcher of some sort that would glue me into my chair, but unfortunately, there wasn’t any. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the author’s style of writing. I could imagine the old version of the female protagonist sitting in a rocking chair, telling her life story. She seemed like a typical woman of her time, enormously strong and particularly sensitive at the same time. I also found the surroundings interesting, not knowing much about building the Panama Canal. In my opinion, this is the best part of historical fiction, learning a lot about history while reading a fictional story. The book seemed professionally edited, and after reading an Official OnlineBookClub review with a full four-star rating, I decided to give this book a chance despite the slow-paced beginning.
First Ten review added on August 22, 2020, at 2:39 pm by Kirsi Cultrera.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
kperm
Before reading the sample, I thought that I would like this book. I liked that it was focused on women and their strength. However, I the book didn’t hook me at all. The storyline is not as interesting as I though it would be. Rosina Mahr’s character was poorly developed. The vocabulary of the book seemed a little outdated. However, I think it matches with the era that the book is set in. While I am not going to read the rest of the book, I noticed that the book is nicely edited. I did not notice any mistakes in the sample. I don't think that there is anything that should be improved. While it isn't a good fit for me, many readers will enjoy the book.
First Ten review added on August 22, 2020, at 2:36 pm by kperm.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
LinaJan
I was immediately captured by the combination of ‘nothing-here-to-see’ cover and the somewhat intriguing title of ‘Make The Dirt Fly’ by Rose van Hardeveld. I had no idea what to expect until I read the description. I found myself in a state of cognitive dissonance as neither the cover art nor the title was indicative of the genre. However, for some inexplicable reason, I found myself feeling curious rather than put off by this contradiction. Upon reading the official onlinebookclub.org review and learning more about the content as well as the author’s writing abilities, I discovered that this book indeed carries everything I look for in a good story – descriptive language that takes the reader to all sorts of places, human struggle, and history. I find that historical fiction is the best way to really learn history. Having also had the pleasure to sample the book, I had the opportunity to see that the OBC reviewer was correct in saying that the writing style brings history to life. I enjoyed the dynamics of the conversation at the Sunday dinner table, the intimate glance into Kate’s inner world; I could hear the croaking and the bellowing as heard by Jan on his way to find a place to set his head down for the night. I also found that the book seems to be professionally edited and proofread. I have a feeling that this book will be pure joy!
First Ten review added on August 22, 2020, at 1:49 pm by LinaJan.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Gabrielle Sigaki
Make The Dirt Fly by Rose van Hardeveld is a historical fiction novel involving the events a family passes through in the construction of the Panama Canal. When I read its Official OnlineBookClub review, I was already interested in reading it since the plot seemed unique and gripping. After sampling it, I decided to read the whole novel since it's very dynamic, fast pacing, and it portrays a lot of Panama's aspects, such as the rains and the diseases. The aspect I most liked was the author's compelling descriptions of the events. There's nothing to be improved in this book, and it seems professionally edited. I didn't find any errors in it.
First Ten review added on August 22, 2020, at 1:47 pm by Gabrielle Sigaki.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Scerakor
From the cover, blurb, and review of this book, I would not have read this book. Although I've read some good historical fiction recently, one that surrounds the Panama Canal isn't a subject that interests me. After reading the first ten pages I didn't change my mind and therefore will not be buying and reading the rest of this book. I loved the confusion that Katherine had early on when she was mentioned the project. Just the fact that she didn't even know where Panama was shows something about both the project and the times that are involved. That being said, I'm just not interested enough in the Panama canal and am afraid there won't be enough action to keep me interested. I didn’t see anything specific that I would have wanted to change within the sample that I read and the book looked well written and edited. The official review did not affect my decision at all.
First Ten review added on August 22, 2020, at 1:39 pm by Scerakor.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Mutai Marshal
“In America, anything is possible!” Jan would always boast, whenever he learned of some modern miracle of enterprise in his new country. It was during the construction of the Panama Canal when Jay decided to take a new venture in the country. He left behind Catherine (his wife) and two children. What does life in Panama have for him? Will he survive the harsh conditions? How do Catherine and the kids fare without him? The original copy of Make the Dirt Fly was first written by Rose van Hardeveld’s (author) grandmother. It is about her (Catherine) experience with her children and husband (Jay). Written from the first-person perspective, the author uses a simple language. The apprehensive language is what I loved most as I fathomed every detail. The incorporation of vivid descriptions and dialogues make this book riveting. It seems exceptionally edited as I flagged no grammatical errors. As a history fanatic, I am going to buy this book to find out more about Panama construction and experience. I cannot propose any suggestions worth improving in Making the Dirt Fly. Even without reading the first ten pages, I would have read the book based on the enthralling review (in OBC). My decision to read it still stands, as mentioned before.
First Ten review added on August 22, 2020, at 1:33 pm by Mutai Marshal.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
aacodreanu
Had I not actually sampled the first ten pages as part of this program, I would have chosen to read or sample this book based on the title, we have a saying in Romanian that refers to something physically similar, the genre, as historical novels are among my favorites, and the editorial review that gave me precious details and arguments in favor of reading the book. I have ”bought” and will read the whole book because I want to know more of the lives of those who contributed to the construction of the Panama Canal. Reading the first ten pages confirmed my original guess. In what I read, the book seemed like it was professionally edited. I like the way the family is presented, as immigrants newly arrived in America, happy about the stage of progress and civilisation they became part to, willing, however to leave the good life there for the uncertainty of an adverse climate and more primitive location, for the sake of a dream, or rather a project.
First Ten review added on August 22, 2020, at 1:30 pm by aacodreanu.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Damis Seres Rodriguez
Admittedly, I was not particularly allured by the book at first sight and didn't find any review that could make me change my mind. As for the first ten pages I read, it seems to be a quite lovely read. However, genre wise, not really my style. I indeed found an error on the first page. It says, "Several friends read it and give me feedback" But the author was writing in past tense, so it should have been "gave" instead of "give." I am not sure how professionally edited it can be if it has errors in the very beginning. Maybe the book could benefit from a new round of edition. I don't think this is the right kind of book for me.
First Ten review added on August 22, 2020, at 12:21 pm by Damis Seres Rodriguez.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
AntonelaMaria
Before reading the sample, the blurb caught my attention. And after reading the Offical OnlineBookClub review, I was even more interested in reading this book. I liked the sample. I have read around 25% of this book. Even though I am not a fan of the start with "America is the greatest" notion, I am curious about the rest of the story. I didn't notice any grammatical errors. This book has an Offical OnlineBookClub review, which was very helpful in deciding to read this book. I didn't find anything that needs improvement.
First Ten review added on August 22, 2020, at 11:29 am by AntonelaMaria.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
María Andrea Fernández Sepúlveda
I find the cover to be quite unremarkable. The blurb didn't attract me either. I usually enjoy historical fiction, but the building of the Panama Canal was a very messy political endeavor and the approach of the book seems to be, at least from what I could tell from the blurb, presented through an exclusively patriotic perspective. Despite the great ratings, I wouldn't have bought the book.
What I liked the most about the first ten pages was the depiction of the relationship between Jan and Kate. I guess marriage hasn't changed that much! I loved how Kate could tell something was changing in her husband just by the way he played the organ. I like too, the enthusiasm that borders on naivete of Jen as a new immigrant.
I found one editing mistake, an extra space on position 35: "She was a wonderfully messy German baker, an observer of all things and a lover of people of all kinds (as were her children). She was stern, but kind in her discipline, as she loved all her family." I would suggest improving the cover and fixing these minor mistakes. The official review didn't convince me to read the book.
First Ten review added on August 22, 2020, at 11:26 am by María Andrea Fernández Sepúlveda.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Total ~ 49%
Make The Dirt Fly earned a score of 49%.
In other words, out of the top-level reviewers who read at least the first 10 pages of this book, 49% plan to read the whole book.
IMPORTANT: Any score over 10% is considered very good. And any score above 0% is acceptable.
Over a million books are published each year. Any given person could not even read .0001% of the books out there. This means readers have to be very selective. Even taking the time to look over reviews and blurbs, let alone read samples, is more time than most readers can afford for most books. The First Ten is a powerful focus group that addresses those issues. It creates a helpful tool for authors, publishers, and other readers.
Go to main Bookshelves page for Make The Dirt Fly
