 What is the main purpose of a “galley proof”?
Virtually all ambitious trade hardcover books are preceded by an edition of 100 to 200 flimsy "galley proofs." There is an ethos of letting the chips fall where they may about the sending out of galleys: Now the book will begin to receive uncontrolled reaction. The Bell Curve was not circulated in galleys before publication. The effect was, first, to increase the allure of the book (There must be something really hot in there!), and second, to ensure that no one inclined to be skeptical would be able to weigh in at the moment of publication. The people who had galley proofs were handpicked by Murray and his publisher. The result was what you'd expect: The first wave of publicity was either credulous or angry, but short on evidence, because nobody had had time to digest and evaluate the book carefully. It is gotten up as a work of original scholarly research. Most works containing fresh regression analysis and historical argument from primary sources would be published in academic quarterlies that send manuscripts out for elaborate, lengthy evaluation before deciding whether to publish them. The debate on publication day was conducted in the mass media by people with no independent ability to assess the book. During the second half of the 20 th century, this quality has risen to supreme importance, because society has become increasingly complex. They are likely to become ever more dominant and prosperous. About the best that can be done for these people is an effort to create a world of simple, decent, honorable toil for them. Thus, by the end of their introduction, they have arranged matters so that if intelligence has any meaning at all, the idiotic liberals stand discredited; and meanwhile, extremely broad claims for intelligence have the cover of "consensus." The notion that IQ tests are completely useless never prevailed in liberal academia to nearly the extent that Herrnstein and Murray say. These men are well known within the field as representing its right wing, not a mainstream consensus. To the book's initial audience of Ivy Leaguers, this idea seemed valid on its face. Everybody knows that the best universities, law firms, hospitals, investment banks, and the State Department used to be run by preppies whose main virtue was fortunate birth, and are now open to one and all on the basis of merit. But the larger premise--that intelligent people used to be scattered throughout the class structure, and are now concentrated at the top--is almost impossible to prove, simply because the mass administration of mental tests is such a recent phenomenon.
 To generate buzz about a book before its publication.
 To give editors a final version to proofread.  To give readers a chance to pre-order the book.  To offer experts an opportunity to critique the book.  To generate buzz about a book before its publication.