Re: The Two Sad Things About Reed… - Posted by Sue(NC)
Posted by Sue(NC) on March 23, 1999 at 08:14:04:
Back when I purchased ‘Tax Avoidance…’ Reed didn’t come across as such a kook. He didn’t have his website, which is where (I think) his downfall began.
I bought ‘Tax Avoidance…’ on the recommendation of a several members of an investment group I belonged to… and have since heard numerous individuals, including accountants, remark that it is an excellent book. The ‘…20% Below Market Value’ book I bought without recommendation, but I have tried about 6 of the techniques he wrote about. His book was NOT the only source I used by any means- it is too basic for that - but I found it quite useful as a general reference.
As for Reed as a writer, I don’t really expect writers to give me ALL of the facts. Even with non-fiction, they edit. They decide what’s pertinent and what isn’t. I do not expect them to lie, and a I do not think Reed has lied. As to what he might have ommitted, I do not know. But the book was as complete as I needed it to be to research several investment angles. As a writer, Reed has tried to make his books verifiable. He includes footnotes, biboliography, and in many cases, phone numbers of the people who did the deals.
As a to Reed as reviewer of gurus, I expect even less- (and boy, do I get less!). I expect opinions. I don’t expect him to have read every book by every guru he rates.
As for the review of Scott Britton, Reed appears to have read the TITLE of Scott’s work, and made his entire recommendation on that alone. Some of his other ‘I do not recommend’ reviews are based on how polite the guru was, as opposed to the guru’s material. This is horrible behavior. I suspect, as you do, that his reviews are emotional prattle. He postures himself as the self-appointed defender of would-be seminar attendees. But I don’t think there’s enough room on his moral high ground for anyone, including John T Reed himself (he keeps asking web visitors for copies of guru materials to review…doesn’t he suspect that he will get pirated copies?)
But I still like my two books. Not based on Reed’s character, but on the opinions of others I trust & personal experience.