A book review for this course should be in the form of a polished essay of about three pages of text (not including the required footnotes and bibliography), printed and double-spaced in 12 point font. You are encouraged to cite other sources to add weight and authority to your argument. Use only web material from universities, published journals, and other sources that have undergone rigorous editing or peer review and that are widely recognized in academic circles for quality scholarship and authority. You may not use Wikipedia as a cited source in any papers submitted in this course (more on this in class). Click here to review your responsibilities with respect to academic integrity.
Note that a book review is NOT a book report (a mere summary). It is a critical assessment of a book which may include a summary of the main ideas, but which concentrates its efforts on showing whether the author makes a convincing case and why or why not. Use the written responses to readings you have been writing as your guide. You are advised to consult one or more of the book review sources at the Arts and Letters Daily web page to see how "the pros" do it. Below is a link to a review we think is an especially worthy model for you to follow:
Max Rodenbeck, "War and Peace," New York Times Book Review, August 24, 2008
Use the text study guides as well as the History of the Middle East Database as references to steer your review.
Give your review an engaging title; make your readers want to dive into it.
Book reviews are due at the beginning of class. It is suggested that, to ensure getting your paper finished on time, you print somewhere other than our classroom building that day.