Two websites restrict reviews of JD Vance's book after savage critiques

[shelshaw]

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/vance-book-reviews-restrict-amazon-b2999354.html

On Friday, The Daily Beast reported that Amazon restricted reviews of the vice president’s new book to verified purchasers only, leaving the tome with just seven reviews: six five-stars and one two-star. On Goodreads, which is owned by Amazon, reviews were disabled entirely. A pop-up message informs viewers that "rating this book is temporarily unavailable." No prior ratings for the book are visible.

Both groups are connected to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos who has been cozying up to President Donald Trump in recent months.

The X account @HQNewsNow, affiliated with former Vice President Kamala Harris, posted an apparent screenshot from Goodreads on Thursday, writing: "Reviews have been turned off for JD Vance's book after it received numerous 1-star reviews."

[wcmagumba]

1. Aren't there any independent book review sites? I'll bet there are but without such a huge potential viewership...

Last edited Sat Jun 20, 2026, 05:02 PM - Edit history (1)

Still might count for something...Also, Amazon sucks...

[wcmagumba]

2. Maybe a review could be put on YouTube, owned by Google?

Yes you can, https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/booktube

[no_hypocrisy]

3. At least Vance is consistent.

I found Hillbilly Elegy to be a real snooze.

[BlueWaveNeverEnd]

4. Whereever when ever people have an opportunity to send a message to trump admin..

[DavidDvorkin]

5. Barnes and Noble has a fine selection of nasty reviews of the book

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/communion-j-d-vance/1149805998?ean=9780063575011

[keep_left]

6. Isn't this the book that's about Vance's...

…purported conversion to Catholicism, yet the cover depicts a distinctly Protestant church? (By the way, the church in the cover photo is Methodist, IIRC).

It seems that Vance has been cruising for a bruising for a while with this book. A little more time spent on due diligence (e.g. proofing, editing) would have served him well in this project.

[pinkstarburst]

7. This is standard procedure for both sites

in response to review bombing (given a large number of 1-stars by people who haven't read the book.)

I have not read the book and don't intend to, but when any book is being review bombed, Goodreads will disable reviews entirely for a while to allow the craziness to blow over, and Amazon will only allow reviews from people who actually bought the book.

So while I am sure the book is poorly written, this is a normal thing, and people should not be 1-starring a book they did not read just because they don't like JD.