Lately, forwards and prefaces in non-fiction books have been bugging me. Like credits at the beginning of movies, forwards and prefaces are seldom executed well, and almost always too long. Also, the person writing the forward always makes sure to get in a plug for their own books or work.

Worse is an author’s preface telling you what you need to know to read the book or how to interpret it. The Head First technical books each start with a verbose section on how to get the most of the books. The material in each is near identical, but I feel required to read it in case it is not. If you are explaining, you likely have already lost.

If you must have it, move it all postface.

The best of books leave me wanting more, but they never include recommendations of what other books to read or resources to consider. I find this ironic considering the covers are filled with ego stroking recommendations of the book by her peers. Even if your opus, no book is an island.

And why are none of the recommendations by people that I can relate to? People that have been moved or raised by the book?