Book Review

After reading through Jeffery Johnson’s book, Super-History, you will then need to write a formal book review.  The goal of a book review, is not to simply tell the reader, “yes, I liked it or, I did not like it,” rather, it is to inform potential readers and or researchers if the book is worthy of further reading.  So, your job, is to tell me, the reader, what this book is all about.  P.S.  This is not simply a summary of the book……

Here is what to do:

Part I
Who is the author?  What do we know about him/her?  Is she/he qualified (expert) to write about the topic?
Identify the author’s thesis.  A thesis is a statement capable of proof.
Does the author state WHY the writing is important?  Does the writing fulfill a “historical gap?”
Does the author state HOW he/she is going to prove the thesis?
Part II
In this part you will give several examples of how the author substantiates his/her thesis.
What proof does he/she put forward?
Choose examples carefully to show how the author validates the thesis.  Be specific here.
Part III
In this part you will determine whether you are persuaded by the author’s argument.  Using the examples from Part II, you will determine whether they in fact validate the thesis.  Use your TEXTBOOK as guide.  Does the author’s claims match or follow in line with the textbook.  (This will take you some time to flesh out.)
Part IV
In this part you will evaluate sources and footnotes.  Are the footnotes accurate and to the point?  What sources has the author consulted?  Are both sides of the conflict represented to the same degree, or is the author relying too heavily on only one set of sources?
Part V
Conclusion.  Does the author prove his/her point?  Would you recommend this book for others to read?  Why or why not?
MISC.
2-3 pages.

Double Space.

12 pt. Time Roman Font.

Be sure to insert page source citations into the text of your essay.  Page numbers will in parenthesis will suffice.