Review of book consists of two parts:
At the top of the review part 1 and part 2, provide full title. For example, Geoff Mortimer, The Origins of the Thirty
Years War and the Revolt in Bohemia, 1618. New York, NY. Palgrave Macmillan. 2015. v + 293 pp.
50% of Review consists of summary
1. Description: Summarize the contents of the book. Pick out the most important points in
the book. Read the book first and then summarize it.
50% of Review consists of analysis.
2. Analysis:
Number 1 to 10 and answer each point of analysis individually.
Do not merely report what the author says. In your own words, report the
points you think the author is trying to make. This is the most important part of your
review. Here you give your specific judgment about the extent to which the book was
“good” or “bad”. You need to cover the following points:
1. What is the author’s argument? Provide two or three sentences.
2. How is the book organized?
3. What is the author’s purpose in writing the book?
4. What is the intended audience of the book?
5. Does the author cover all the points which you think should have been covered? Is
anything left out? Does anything not really fit?
6. Is the author biased for or against any particular view point?
7. Is the author easy to follow and understand? How effective is the author’s writing style?
8. Is the book effectively organized?
9. Was there a real need for this book?
10. How effectively does the author prove his argument? Pay particular attention to the
evidence the author uses to reach his conclusions. What kind of evidence is used? Is the
evidence appropriate? Is any possible evidence omitted?
Don’t be afraid to disagree with the author if there is anything about the book that you do not like
and indeed a good review will actively seek out parts of the book which could be improved.
And if you like the book, you should explain specifically why it was a good book, (and what
mistakes the author did not make). It’s not enough to say it’s a great book and that the author
really knows his subject matter and that everyone should read it.
Whenever you make any kind of statement evaluating the book whether positive or negative, you
must give specific evidence from the book demonstrating the validity of your claim.