Instructions from my professor:
Critical Book Review Essays
At the graduate level, a critical book review essay must include a thorough analysis of the author’s intent, their successes and failures in this regard, and the ultimate implications of the work for the field of study. Effective critical book review essays should offer more than a mere synopsis of an author’s major points, moving from observation to analysis with support drawn from course readings and supplemental sources. Formatting specifications for this assignment include: a length of four to five (4-5) pages (not including the bibliography page), the author’s last name and page number posted to the right side of the header (except page 1), double spacing, 12 point font, and 1” margins.

Be sure to include all of the following information delivered in a fluid and engaging manner:
1. Heading: Your name, the course title, and the submission date.
2. Citations and Bibliography: All footnotes and the bibliography must adhere to the conventions of Chicago Manual/Turabian Style.
3. Author’s background: Consider the following questions: Who is the author? What is their background? Where did the author study and who was the author’s adviser? What effect do you feel the author’s background had upon their choice of subject matter and methodology? If you discover something interesting but unrelated, leave it out. Don’t overdue this section – about two (2) sentences.
4. Summary: A brief synopsis of the primary text that articulates the author’s thesis and reflects on the use of evidence deployed in its defense. Do not present a play-by-play or chapter-by-chapter survey of the work – about one to two (1-2) paragraphs.
5. Definition and analysis of key term(s): Correctly identify and explain key terminology relevant to the author’s area of focus and determine if such language or concepts help to advance their line of argumentation – as needed.
6. Argument: Clearly state the author’s thesis and supporting claims and consider how persuasive you found them to be – at least one (1) paragraph.
7. Reflection on secondary text: Comment on the article or book chapter assigned alongside the primary text to demonstrate that you have read all of the assigned readings and that you appreciate their relation to one another – at least one (1) paragraph in length. (see the additional uploaded material)
8. Sources: Consider the following questions: Based upon the footnotes and bibliography, what are the historian’s key sources? Are they appropriate, reliable, used properly, well-understood? If so, why based on your reading of textual evidence? – at least two (2) sentences.
9. Significance: What is at stake for the author? How does agreeing with the author’s argument fundamentally alter, change, or at least problematize historical understanding? – at least two (2) sentences.
10. Scholarly Reception/Transformation: Consult the work of other scholars who have provided comment on the works under consideration. In particular, this means the consultation of books reviews published in scholarly publications, including journals like the American Historical Review, William and Mary Quarterly, and, of course, Atlantic Studies. ASU’s library has an article and database search located at:
http://adams.edu/library/resources/database.php.
To access history journals, EBSCO and JSTOR will likely yield the best search results.