Why do two reviewers evaluate the same research so differently? The book explores the hidden mechanisms behind academic gatekeeping, uncovering how reviewers' judgments shift depending on their underlying logic--whether based on truth-seeking, scholarly reputation, or rigid metrics. By focusing on cases with conflicting outcomes and inconsistencies in standards, it offers a rare glimpse into the complex and (sometimes) unpredictable world of academic promotion. This research not only dissects academic practices within Polish sociology but also provides a broader understanding of how global pressures reshape local scientific communities.