Official Review: Poor Will's Almanack for 2019 and Horosc...

Please use this sub-forum to discuss any non-fiction books such as autobiographies or political commentary books.
Forum rules
Authors and publishers are not able to post replies in the review topics.
Post Reply
User avatar
NL Hartje
Previous Member of the Month
Posts: 1262
Joined: 04 Jan 2018, 12:58
Favorite Book: Kushiel's Dart
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 385
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-nl-hartje.html
Latest Review: Looking forward as the Journey continues by George Mills

Official Review: Poor Will's Almanack for 2019 and Horosc...

Post by NL Hartje »

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Poor Will's Almanack for 2019 and Horoscope in Nature" by Bill Felker.]
Book Cover
2 out of 4 stars
Share This Review


In his book, Bill Felker outlines a study where the diligent “time observer” can perceive the world anew by applying his outwardly focus inward. Plucking his words like a minstrel, the world he unveils to readers is one where the moon “oversees” our happenings, where stalks and blooms “retreat” rather than die, and where planets are more than stars to be examined, but preside above as “evening companion(s).” Poor Will’s Almanack for 2019 and Horoscope in Nature is presented as an all-encompassing guide to acknowledging the world around us and understanding its effectual nature on our lives.

Although the presiding voice of the storyteller echoes attractively throughout the pages, I believe his readers would be better served should he choose between telling a story and informing a client base. Felker’s jumbled attempt at combining the two resulted in non-clarity and confusion which will likely be off-putting to first-time almanac readers.

The book follows a cyclical format presenting the “Almanack Horoscope(s)” month by month beginning in January. In each section, the alignment of the sun, moon, and stars are noted along with the predicted accompanying weather estimates. Also included are observed emotional correlations, animal behavioral patterns, planting suggestions, and short stories.

Where Felker loses credibility, in my opinion, is in the details. Since many almanacs exist, any competing editions must first begin on sound organizational and informational footings. Although Poor Will’s Almanack has published annual publications since 2003, this gives no excuse for making assumptions with one’s readers (unless there is zero intent to invite a new base). The author presents many thematically specific terms with definitions either wholly omitted or instead, included chapters after their first presentation. Simple in-text definitions for words like “fractal,” “sidereal Zodiac,” “Gregorian,” “perigee,” and more would bring clarity to potential new readers.

Although Felker’s research methods are studiously chronicled in the book’s beginning, the air of professionalism does not continue in the subsequent pages. The use of statistics lands a bit skewed where, for example, a 35% chance is used to notate a “trend.” Some confusion arises in the monthly “Meteorology” sections. In the first three months, there is a directive to add/remove days based on one’s relation to the 40th Parallel. This notice is left out after March though with no mention of whether one should apply the same rule to the continuing months. It seems that much of the book is peppered with useless filler instead of presented with new movements. The first paragraph in the sections for “Peak Activity Times for Creatures” is repeated verbatim February through December.

Many of the book’s inclusions were alluring and noteworthy; I particularly enjoyed the predictions on the “Seasonal Affective Disorder Stress Index.” I question, however, if this almanac is worth purchasing over the others in circulation without similar errors. The book has a clear and dire need of professional editing throughout. Incorrect punctuation, repeated words, weak sentence structure, and pixelated graphics riddle Felker’s attempt at a melodic presentation. Immediately losing one star for poor editing, and at least one more for questionable layout and reasoning, I am rating Poor Will’s Almanack for 2019 and Horoscope in Nature 2 out of 4 stars. I recommend this book to those who are already followers of Felker’s work. There is likely much to be enjoyed and gleaned from his natural astrological presentation, however, there are better options out there for those who are not already used to the error of his ways.

******
Poor Will's Almanack for 2019 and Horoscope in Nature
View: on Bookshelves

Like NL Hartje's review? Post a comment saying so!
“So the writer who breeds more words than he needs, is making a chore for the reader who reads.”
-Dr. Seuss
User avatar
cpru68
Previous Member of the Month
Posts: 1442
Joined: 14 Feb 2018, 19:21
Favorite Book: What My Dog Taught Me About Jesus
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 179
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-cpru68.html
Latest Review: Heaven's Call by Roger Dawson
Reading Device: B00HCNHDN0

Post by cpru68 »

I always look up what the weather predictions are going to be in the farner’s almanac, and usually, it’s wrong! It’s not something I take seriously, but just to see if the forecast comes true to the prediction. Generally it doesn’t. It’s too bad this isn’t better written because it sounds like there is a lot of good information in it but the writing decreases the quality. Good job on this review. Very insightful!
Everything happens for a reason...
User avatar
HollandBlue
Posts: 1539
Joined: 04 Aug 2018, 16:37
Favorite Book: The Reel Sisters
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 107
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-hollandblue.html
Latest Review: It's Hard to Be a Vampire by Viktoria Faust
2024 Reading Goal: 24
2024 Goal Completion: 0%

Post by HollandBlue »

Too bad about the editorial problems, it sounds like this almanac has some potential with predictions.
:techie-studyinggray: when I get a little money I buy books; and if I have any left l buy food and clothes
Desiderius Erasmus Roterodamas
(1466-1536)
User avatar
kandscreeley
Special Discussion Leader
Posts: 11683
Joined: 31 Dec 2016, 20:31
Currently Reading: Believarexic
Bookshelf Size: 486
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-kandscreeley.html
Latest Review: The Elf Revelation by Jordan David

Post by kandscreeley »

It's too bad about the errors. You definitely want something to be professionally edited when it comes to books of this nature. In addition, it sounds like the author just tried to do too many things here. I think I'll skip this one, but thanks for the information.
A book is a dream you hold in your hands.
—Neil Gaiman
User avatar
EvaDar
Previous Member of the Month
Posts: 2295
Joined: 18 Nov 2017, 11:21
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 122
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-evadar.html
Latest Review: Do Not Wish For A Pet Ostrich! by Sarina Siebenaler

Post by EvaDar »

I remember seeing this book and thinking it would be really interesting. I enjoy both astrology and astronomy. It sounds like the author might have honed the message a little better. Given the editing errors and other problems you mention, I will skip it. But, I enjoyed your review very much.
sit in the ocean. it is one of the best medicines on the planet. – the water
-Nayyirah Waheed
User avatar
ReyvrexQuestor Reyes
Previous Member of the Month
Posts: 2049
Joined: 28 Sep 2017, 07:38
Favorite Book: <a href="http://forums.onlinebookclub.org/shelve ... 5">Raven's Peak</a>
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 299
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-reyvrexquestor-reyes.html
Latest Review: Journey by Lindsay Schuster
Reading Device: 1400697484

Post by ReyvrexQuestor Reyes »

In reading the weather predictions of almanacs, people will usually cry out: Wrong! But in fairness to the writer(s) of the almanac, there is just some misinterpretation. You see, in the case of weather, the conditions are usually localized that rain in one place is sunshine in another, and these places are only a few miles apart. Even in, say, a particular state, not all the places within it will have the same instances of rain or sunshine at a particular time. But if you predict snow, well, that could be true for the general area, or latitude. I like almanacs if they augur favorable times in my life. If the prognosis of the future is not good, well, maybe we could still do something to avert it. We can really manage the future, as what seers are telling us. The future is as an avenue we choose out of so many others. And it is something if you knew beforehand what to avoid. Just like what one fellow once said, "If you predict that I will die in England, I will never go to that place."
"In the beginning was the word.........John 1:1"
...To delineate the times that lovers miss,
...A thousand dreams can't beat a single kiss.

-reyvrex (Love Sonnet 107)
User avatar
NL Hartje
Previous Member of the Month
Posts: 1262
Joined: 04 Jan 2018, 12:58
Favorite Book: Kushiel's Dart
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 385
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-nl-hartje.html
Latest Review: Looking forward as the Journey continues by George Mills

Post by NL Hartje »

ReyvrexQuestor Reyes wrote: 10 Oct 2018, 21:53 In reading the weather predictions of almanacs, people will usually cry out: Wrong! But in fairness to the writer(s) of the almanac, there is just some misinterpretation. You see, in the case of weather, the conditions are usually localized that rain in one place is sunshine in another, and these places are only a few miles apart. Even in, say, a particular state, not all the places within it will have the same instances of rain or sunshine at a particular time. But if you predict snow, well, that could be true for the general area, or latitude. I like almanacs if they augur favorable times in my life. If the prognosis of the future is not good, well, maybe we could still do something to avert it. We can really manage the future, as what seers are telling us. The future is as an avenue we choose out of so many others. And it is something if you knew beforehand what to avoid. Just like what one fellow once said, "If you predict that I will die in England, I will never go to that place."
I agree with you. However none of the reasons I removed stars had to do with his predictions.
“So the writer who breeds more words than he needs, is making a chore for the reader who reads.”
-Dr. Seuss
Post Reply

Return to “Non-Fiction Books”