The Page 99 Test

Posted by Rob Walker on August 11, 2008
Posted Under: Buying In (the book)


An unexpected bonus of the whole Buying In thing has been getting introduced to interesting online book-related projects. I mentioned Seen Reading in an earlier post. More recently I got a note inviting me to participate in The Page 99 Test, which was inspired by Ford Madox Ford’s assertion: “”Open the book to page ninety-nine and read, and the quality of the whole will be revealed to you.” Here’s my bit.

Further diversion may be found at MKTG Tumblr, and the Consumed Facebook page.

Reader Comments

I have to say that your article on PBR in the Times back in–what–2003? interested me greatly, and I looked up your site and signed up for the Journal of Murketing emails. So I’d probably like page 99.

#1 
Written By chip on August 11th, 2008 @ 3:21 pm

The idea is that that stuff is part of a bigger story. I hope you would like that bigger story, and point, rather than one page. But who knows.

#2 
Written By Rob Walker on August 11th, 2008 @ 3:24 pm

Maybe I should have added an emoticon but I hate those things.

It’s on my reading list, and I’m sure I’ll enjoy it (all) as much as the column and the blog. Congrats on the good reviews.

#3 
Written By chip on August 12th, 2008 @ 9:15 am

Got it.

But if you don’t have time for the book, I’ll xerox p. 99 for you.

Emoticon here.

#4 
Written By Rob Walker on August 12th, 2008 @ 9:39 am

if you were to arbitrarily pick any page from the book, that’s not a bad one.

#5 
Written By discoczech on August 12th, 2008 @ 4:23 pm