How to write a review

1
How to write a review

• Set the book in context. When, where and if
  possible why was it written. Tell us a little
  about the author and his/her objectives. It
  often helps to read the preface/introduction to
  find this information. Set in the context of
  Sociology/Anthropology. What kind of Sociology is
  it, how what field does it cover, and how does in
  relate to other fields. What is the purpose of
  the book? What are the authors objectives.
  Authors will try and locate themselves with
  reference to schools of thought, sub-disciplines,
  and previous works.

2
How to write a review

• Describe the book, its contents and structure.
  Give the reader an idea of the principle points
  of the book. It may or may not be a chapter by
  chapter description, but try a give the logical
  of the organisation of the book as well as the
  principle points of each major section. What are
  the authors conclusions, how does he/she sum up
  the work. What does the author think they have
  revealed for the reader in the course of the
  book.

3
How to write a review

• Evaluate the book. Does the book achieve the
  authors objectives. What have you learnt from
  the book. What standing does the book have in the
  range of books a master piece, a classic, a
  useful contribution, a book of its time, a
  partial or limited insight?

4
How to write a review

• Internet sources on advice on book reviews. both
  these are about fiction reviewing but the
  principles are the same.
• http//www.wisc.edu/writing/Handbook/CriNonfiction
  .htmlintroducing
• http//www.lavc.edu/Library/bookreview.htm

5
Advice on reviewing 1

• The audience reading your review will be checking
  out opinions about the book to see what other
  intelligent readers think about that work.
• Show that you have read the book. A glowing
  recommendation or scathing condemnation means
  nothing if the reader doesn't believe you've read
  the entire book.

6
Advice on reviewing 1

• Add a critical insight. If the book touches you
  in a certain way, be detailed about what that way
  was.
• The less specific a review is, the less
  trustworthy it is.

7

• Examples
• BAD "This book moved me, and touched me, and
  told a great story."
• BETTER "The story of this family's adventure
  has a great deal to teach us about togetherness,
  and solitude. As an empty-nester dealing with
  these issues myself, I found this book very
  enlightening."
• EVEN BETTER "The underlying themes of the novel
  -- that solitude is necessary even in a tight
  family unit, and that togetherness is actually a
  complex fabric that weaves both solitude,
  circumstance, and choice in the pattern of time's
  passage -- are what remained with me, long after
  I had finished the compelling story and put down
  the book."

8
Another guide to reviewing

• Read the whole book. That is the very least you
  owe the author. You cant make a judgment on what
  they have done until you know all of it.
• Review the book in front of you, not the book
  you wish they had written. You can and should
  point out shortcomings or failures, but dont
  criticize the book for not being something it was
  never intended to be.

9

• Think clearly about who the audience for the
  review is. Is this for a librarian who wants to
  know if s/he should buy the book for their
  collection? Is this review for students looking
  for information on a particular topic, or for
  travellers searching for a good read?
• If possible, compare the book to others in the
  genre or field of study. That helps any reader.

10

• Criticize clearly and specifically but gently. A
  bad book takes as long to write as a good one,
  and each book is someones baby. But a reviewer
  is charged to make a critical judgment, and fails
  if s/he does not do so.
• Be precise in your language. If this is the
  best book you have ever read, say so, and say
  why. If it is yet another nice little book on a
  nice little topic, say that, too. Find the words
  to say what you mean the author did, and so
  should you.
• Dont be cowed by a famous name. Even famous
  writers sometimes do mediocre books.