- Identify the author’s thesis and explain it tour own words. How clearly and in what context is it stated and, subsequently. developed? To what extent and how effectively (i.e., with what kind of evidence) is this thesis proven? Use examples to amplify your responses. If arguments or perspectives were missing, why do you think this might bc? 3. What are the author, aims? How well have they been achieved, especially with regard to the way the book is organized? Are these aims supported or justified? (You might look back at the introduction to the book for help). 4. What conclusions does the author reach and how clearly are they stated? Do these conclusions follow from the thesis and aims and from the ways in which they were developed? In other words, how effectively does the book come together? 5. Identify the assumptions made by the author in both the approach to and the writing of the book. For example, what prior knowledge does the author expect readers to possess? How effectively are those assumptions worked into the overall presentation? What assumptions do you think should not have been made? Why? 6. Does the author, presentation seem fair and accurate? Is the interpretation biased? Can you detect any distortion, exaggeration, or diminishing of material? If so, for what purpose might this have been done, and what effect does hit have on the overall presentation? Questions derived from Robert Blackey, “Words to the Whys: Crafting Critical Book Reviews.” The History Teacher, 27.2 (Feb. 1994): 159-66. Adapted from S. Zabin and retrieved from hups://apps.carleton.edukurriculanhistory/resourcesktudy/critic albookreview/
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