[dcow]

So every time someone recommends a book I must find some 3rd party out of band means of validating an author's credibility? Authors' credentials are often listed right on the work. If you don't respect them then unfortunately it will be impossible to validate a work in your eyes (in isolation). But that's where the whole human to human social thing comes in: I'm recommending the book because I think it's relevant to the thread. If the posted credentials and my recommendation are still not enough you might ask why I know of the book in the first place, and as I indicated it's bestselling on amazon right now. There are at least other people who are interested in it. Anyway that doesn't really matter someone who don't respect my recommendation or the Author's creds will be unlikely to ever entertain the work. I can't fix closed minds, sorry.