How to Shop for a Cell Phone: Herbie's Guide through the Cellular Maze by Curt Lenant

This book is quite a bit different than most of the ones we have reviewed here. You should probably rely more on this review than you do its three star rating, since I really had a difficult time determining just how many stars to give it. It could have been given five stars, it could have been given just one. It really is a matter of perspective. I'll explain later.

How to Shop for a Cell Phone is a very short (40 pages) home-spun look at buying cell phone service. Despite the book's title, it is really more about buying cell phone service, than about buying an actual cell phone.

The reason why this book is so difficult to rate is because it is aimed at a completely different audience than the average book on our Telecom Bookshelf is. It is aimed at complete telecom novices. It's really more of a consumer education booklet than a book about cell phones, so please don't get the impression that you will learn anything new about wireless service here. You won't, unless you know next to nothing about shopping for cell phone service.

For what the book tries to be, it does a good job. It is aimed at educating consumers that have never bought a cellphone before. It uses very short chapters (chapters are often less than a page in length) in order to explain general industry terms and answer questions that most first time wireless buyers have.

The book certainly isn't thorough in its explanations of technology. My biggest criticism of the book is that it seems to (accidentally, I'm sure) "talk down" to consumers. The book really looks like it is aimed more at children than adults, although few kids buy their own wireless plans. The entire volume is filled with cartoons of "Herbie the Cell Phone," a cutesy little character that introduces each chapter. It makes the whole book rather lighthearted, which just strikes me as sort of odd for a telecom book, for some reason. Maybe I am just in a grumpy mood today though.

Of course, it can be said that consumers don't have much of an attention span, and don't WANT to read any complicated, technical details. Since this book is actually aimed at consumers, only those involved in telecom will likely have the same (above) criticisms of the book that I do. Consumers may love the book for its simplicity. It seems to have garnered quite a few positive reviews from consumers, so I'm guessing that it does a good job at reaching its target audience.

So, why should you buy this book? If you are involved with the telecom industry already, you will not learn anything new here. It may make a very good book to have in your office, lobby, etc. for consumers to read while they are at your place of business, especially if you are in the wireless business. If you are a wireless agent or carrier, this may make a great book to distribute to potential residential clients. Donating this book to your local public library, schools, etc. would probably also win you some customers. It is very consumer friendly, and largely unbiased.

If you are a wireless dealer, it is worth picking up a copy to have around your office. You may even think of ordering copies for each of your sales locations. At $9.95, it really is not much of a bargain (for 40 pages), but it has few competitors.

Bottom line? If you know absolutely NOTHING about wireless service and plans, this book may be worth $10, as you will find good information and largely unbiased advice. Wireless dealers may find it a good consumer education tool. It seems to be slightly slanted towards supporting wireless agents, rather than superstores and carrier offices, so you may find this a good PR piece. Telecom people will learn nothing new from it, so they should pass on the title. The book accomplishes its primary goal, consumer education. For that alone, it deserves a place on our Telecom Bookshelf.

Amazon: $9.95
Barnes & Noble: $9.95
Powell's: $9.95