Book Review Writing Assignment A Model Book Review Go to https://www.jstor.org and pick a scholarly journal in history, such as Speculum, Journal of Economic History, or American Historical Review. If you do not know how to do this, please ask at the reference desk or email the reference librarians. Browse around until you find the book reviews section, which usually follows the articles. Even easier, go the journal section of the library and flip to the book reviews of a journal like Environmental History. Feel free to try to find reviews of the book you have chosen within JSTOR, but keep in mind that you will be held to the same plagiarism policies as any other assignment. Other reviewers may have caught things you missed, but you cannot co-opt their words or ideas as your own. Cite any and all book reviews you used as models in your footnotes and bibliography. Guidelines for Writing Your Book Review A book review is not the same thing as a book report, which simply summarizes the content of a book. When writing a book review, you not only report on the content of the book but also assess its strengths and weaknesses. Students sometimes feel unqualified to write a book review; after all, the author of the book is a professional historian. However, even if you cannot write from the same level of experience and knowledge as the author, you can write an effective review if you understand what the assignment requires. In writing a review you do not just relate whether or not you liked the book; you also tell your readers why you liked or disliked it. It is not enough to say, “This book is interesting”; you need to explain why it is interesting. Similarly, it is not enough to report that you disliked a book; you must explain your reaction. Did you find the book unconvincing because the author did not supply enough evidence to support his or her assertions? Or did you disagree with the book’s underlying assumptions? To understand your own reaction to the book, you need to read it carefully and critically. As a critical reader, you are not passive; you should ask questions of the book and note reactions as you read. Your book review then discusses those questions and reactions. Though there is no “correct” way to structure a review, the following is one possible approach. Summarize the book and relate the author’s main point, or thesis. (Somewhere early in the paper, identify the author briefly.) Describe the author’s viewpoint and purpose for writing; note any aspects of the author’s background that are important for understanding the book. Note the most important evidence the author presents to support his or her thesis. Evaluate the author’s use of evidence, and describe how he or she deals with counter evidence. Is the book’s argument convincing? If so why, if not, why not. Cite examples from the text. Compare this book with other books or articles you have read on the same subject. Conclude with a final evaluation of the book. You might discuss who would find this book useful and why. NOTE: “Critical” does not mean negative; skeptical does not mean cynical. If a book is well written and presents an original thesis supported by convincing evidence, say so. A good book review does not have to be negative; it does have to be fair and analytical. Final Points to Keep in Mind 1500 words (plus or minus 10%)–about 5 pages in length Include the full title, author’s full name, publisher, place, and date of publication on the first page of your review or in a note. Follow the Chicago Manual of Style . Proofread. More Help: These tips were adapted from: Mary Lynn Rampolla, A Pocket Guide to Writing History (Boston, 1995). If you still need some ideas, you can look at the section on BOOK REVIEWS, adapted from: Jacques Barzun & Henry F. Graff, The Modern Researcher, 4th ed. (San Diego, 1985). Adapted from Michael Kucher, University of Washington, 2001.
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