What is a Critical Book Review?

A critical book review briefly describes the content of a book and, more importantly, provides an in-depth analysis and evaluation of its ideas and purpose. The descriptive element of a review should give the reader an understanding of the author’s arguments, while the evaluative element should detail your assessment of the book’s ideas. This guide is meant to aid in the preparation of reviews of non-fiction books in fields such as history or sociology.

Before You Read the Book

Familiarize yourself with the book before reading it. Note the title and sub-title. What do they lead you to expect about the book’s ideas? Study the table of contents, chapter titles and index to understand how the author has organized the content. Read the preface or introduction for statements of the author’s intended purpose in writing the book. Study the list of references to determine what research contributed to the author’s arguments. Read any information about the author to learn what authority he or she has to write about the topic area of the book.

Reading the Book: Points to Consider

Read the book carefully. Record your impressions and note sections suitable for quoting.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Who is the intended audience for the book? Scholars in the field or general readers?
• What is the author’s purpose in writing the book?
• What are the author’s central arguments?
• Is the book lacking information or argumentation that you expected to find?
• Are the ideas logically presented and easy to follow?
• What is the author’s style? Formal or informal? Is it appropriate to the intended audience?
• Are facts in the book accurate? You may need to check outside sources to determine accuracy. Note any errors or weak arguments.
• How do the ideas in the book relate to other ideas and arguments on the same topic? You may need to read other works in the field in order to make a comparison.
• Is the author’s point of view objective? Does the language used create bias?

Consult Other Reviews

Find several existing reviews of the book. (Please see "How to Find Book Reviews")

• Do the reviewers agree on the strengths and weaknesses of the book?
• Do the reviews outline the book’s relationship to other books on the same topic?
• Is there any critical controversy surrounding the book?

Prepare an Outline

Read over your notes. Choose a statement that expresses the central purpose or thesis of your review. When thinking of a thesis, consider the author’s intentions and whether or not you think those intentions were successfully realized. Eliminate all notes that do not relate to your thesis. Organize your remaining points into separate groups such as points about structure, style, or argument. Devise a logical sequence for presenting these ideas. Remember that all of your ideas must support your central thesis.

Write the First Draft

The first paragraph may contain:

• a statement of your thesis
• the author’s purpose in writing the book
• comments on how the book relates to other work on the same subject
• information about the author’s reputation or authority in the field

The body of the review should:

• state your arguments in support of your thesis
• follow the logical development of ideas that you mapped out in your outline
• include quotations from the book (and possibly from other reviews) which illustrate your main ideas

The concluding paragraph may:

• summarize your review
• restate your thesis

Revise the First Draft

Ideally, you should leave your first draft for a day or two before revising. This allows you to gain a more objective perspective on your review. Check for the following when revising:

• Grammar and punctuation errors
• Organization and logical development of your thesis
• Errors in quotations or in references

You may make major revisions in the organization or content of your review during the revision process. Revising can even lead to a radical change in your central thesis.

Helpful Books at the UTM Library

How to write book reports. Harry Teitelbaum
PE 1478 .T45 1998 ERIN (Reference Collection—Librarians’ Desk)

A short guide to writing a critical review. Eliot D. Allen and Ethel B. Colbrunn.
PN 98 B7 A4 1975 (Stacks)

Writing book reviews. John Eldridge Drewry
PN 98 B7 D7 (Stacks)

"Writing a Book Report." in Making Sense: A Student’s Guide to Research, Writing and Style. 3rd ed. Margot Northey. p. 32-36
LB 2369 N67 1995 REF (Reference Collection—Librarians’ Desk)

"Book Reviews." in A Short Guide to Writing About Social Science. Lee J. Cuba. p. 18-24
H 91 C78 1988 REF (Reference Collection—Librarians’ Desk)

Thinking through writing. Susan R. Horton. Chapter 5.
PE 1408 .H6836 (Stacks)

Please don’t hesitate to ask a Librarian for assistance.

Tell us what you think