Goodreads Librarians Group discussion

I wonder if someone would be kind enough to amend the description of this book.

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30...

"Money has always been at the heart of the American experience. Paper money, invented in Boston in 1698, was a classic of American ingenuity-and American disregard for authority and tradition. "

This comment is incorrect - China invented paper money around 960AD. Scotland were the first in Europe print paper money in the 17th Century.
Paper money was certainly not invented in Boston.

I am a new member and will upload my (800+) books, but I feel it is presumptuous of me to apply for librarian status immediately.

Neil

I have changed the default description on this work, the descriptions are coming from Amazon so it is larger than Goodreads

Neil wrote: "...This comment is incorrect..."

I agree, it's very American-centric. But it's also word for word what was printed on the front flap of the cover. So do I change it? If the book as a whole follows this train of thought, maybe the description should stay as it is. Not all books are perfect.

Kasia wrote: "...it's also word for word what was printed on the front flap of the cover..."

Correction, it was. Cross-posting with Paula here.

There where 2 different descriptions for the different editions, I just used the one that did not mention money being invented in Boston as the default

Excellent, thank you.

Abigail wrote: "If factually incorrect information is contained in a book description, because it is contained in the book itself, should we be editing the description, because we "know better?""

I would say no, in general. However, if there are multiple (correct) descriptions, I see no problem with switching from one to another, as was done in this case.

I agree with rivka - if there had not been an alternative description I would not have changed it. Its not my writing to alter - whether it is correct or not

Abigail wrote: "I've no opinion of this particular case, but I think Kasia raises an important question. If factually incorrect information is contained in a book description, because it is contained in the book i..."

Agreed. If the description is taken right off the book jacket, I don't think it should be tinkered with.

The obvious answer is to notify the source.
I notice that the quote comes from the 1st Edition, published in 2003 and may well have been corrected in subsequent editions.
I have therefore contacted both Amazon.com (US) and the Publishers - Henry Holt and Co. which is part of MacMillan.