For your Critical Book Review you may choose any NON-FICTION book listed in the History 1302 Book Analysis List and the History Department's Bibliography that fits the time frame of the course. You are not limited to these selections. If you have a question about any of the books or have a particular interest that is not adequately addressed in the text, please consult with me. Whatever book you choose, you must bring it to me for approval on or before MARCH 23 for M-W classes and MARCH 24 for T-Th classes. Reviews of books that were not approved WILL NOT BE GRADED. Book Reviews are due no later than APRIL 18 for M-W classes and APRIL 19 for T-Th classes. A letter grade will be deducted for each class day that the review is turned in late. Your review should be typed, double spaced, and 1000 - 1200 words in length. In your review you should:
1. If possible, and pertinent, include a brief biographical account of the author. What is his/her background and professional training? How might this affect the author/s viewpoint? When was the book written? How might this affect the author's treatment of the subject? I suggest that you first consult Biography Resource Center and the Gale Literary Databases which can be online found in the ACC Electronic Databases. You might also look at American Women Historians and The Encyclopedia of Historians and Historical Writing
2. Briefly summarize the author's main arguments. Do not describe point by point what the author said. You are to identify and EVALUATE the author's thesis (theses). Why did the author write the book? What does he/she want to prove? Is he/she convincing? Why or why not? How does the author organize and convey the material? Does the author agree or disagree with your text or what has been said in class? What changes would make this a better work? What types of sources were used? Is this book readable and well-written? What is your overall reaction to the book and the subject covered? Make sure to SUPPORT YOUR ARGUMENTS.
3. Proofread your review to eliminate errors of spelling, grammar, construction, typing, etc... This WILL affect your grade. Make sure that your review has a coherent theme and is sensibly organized. Make sure that you GIVE CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE. Use quotation marks and give page numbers to identify quotes and the ideas of others.
4. You may wish to see what other scholars have written about the book you are reviewing. I suggest that you first consult the following online databases that can be found through the ACC library website: Academic Search Premier, Masterfile Premier, and eLibrary. The ACC History Department developed a webpage that can further assist you in your search for book reviews. You might also search H-Net for other reviews.
5. Make sure to include a bibliography that uses a correct form and lists all the sources you have used.
