Writing Book Critiques

The ability to read critically is a skill that serves not only historians, but those in many different fields and occupations. One way to develop this skill is to write critiques of scholarly works. A book critique is not simply a synopsis of the content of the book. It is rather a critical appraisal or assessment of the author's viewpoint, argument, use of sources, style, and presentation. Below are some tips to help you with the critique.

• Your book critique should begin with a full bibliographic citation at the top of the first page, letting your reader know exactly what book you are reviewing. For example:

  Lloyd Eastman. Family, Field, and Ancestors: Constancy and Change in China's Social and Economic History, 1550-1949. New York: Oxford University Press, 1988.

or

William Duiker. The Communist Road to Power in Vietnam. Second edition. Boulder, Colo.: Westview Press, 1996.


• Identify the author's thesis or main theme. What critical question does the author address? What is his or her motive for writing the book and what is the author trying to accomplish? What exactly is the author trying to say in this book? This information is often expressed in the preface or introduction of the book, which you should always read first.

• What is the author's background and perspective? What kinds of source materials does the author rely on? When was the book written? This information, which is also often found in the introduction, helps give context to the work under review.

• Summarize, briefly, the evidence the author presents. How does the author support his or her thesis? This may require a brief discussion of the contents of the book. You should not spend too much time on the summary, as the bulk of the critique should deal with your own appraisal of the work.

• Do you feel the author succeeded in making his or her argument? Do you agree with the author's thesis? Why? Do you disagree? Why? What do you feel are the strengths and weaknesses of the book? Are there any glaring errors or omissions? Is the book useful?

Here are some things to avoid in writing book critiques:

• Do not waste time on needless or extravagant claims about the book or the author. For example, it is a cliche to write that an author is "well qualified" to write a book. Avoid lengthy comments about the style of the book and generalizations such as "this book is very interesting" or "very boring." It is fine to say that the style is good or bad, interesting or tedious, however, if you do comment on the style, be specific.

• Do not feel compelled to say something negative about the book. If you disagree with the author's argument or find it weak, say so, but do not feel that you are obliged to say something bad about the book. Do not waste time on petty complaints, which only make the reviewer look foolish or unfair.

• Quote selectively from the book you are reviewing. Quotations give some tone of the original and may express author's thoughts or ideas in an efficient way. Do not over-quote, however, which deducts from the value of the review. When you do quote from the book, be sure to cite the appropriate pages in parentheses (33-34).