Instruction
Book Review Format
The format of a review is generally as follows:
1. Introduction: Identify the book you are going to review. The author, title, date, publisher, and
place of publication may be placed at the beginning of the essay. Then state what the author’s
goal was in writing the book. Why did the author write on this specific subject? What
contribution to our understanding did the author intend to make?
2. Brief Summary: In the main body of the review, you should begin by briefly describing the
content and organization of the book, along with the most important evidence used. Do not get
bogged down in details here; this section is only intended to prepare the reader for the critical
assessment to follow.
3. Critical Assessment: Evaluate the book’s contribution to our understanding. There are several
things you should look for:
a) Identify the author’s central argument, or thesis. The thesis is not the topic of the book but the
specific argument that the author has made about her or his subject. Sometimes, the author states
the thesis in the book’s introduction, sometimes in the conclusion. Feel free to read these
sections of the book first to determine the author’s main argument. Knowing the main argument
will help guide you through the rest of the book. Finding the central argument or arguments can
be like finding the forest in the trees: it requires you to step back from the mass of information to
identify larger themes. Sometimes a book, such as a general historical survey, lacks an explicit
argument or thesis.
b) Identify the author’s perspective, point of view, or purpose. This can be approached in a
number of different ways. Ask yourself whether the author has a particular emphasis, such as
economic, social or intellectual history. Is the book informed by a religious or political ideology?
If the book describes a conflict, does the author, either explicitly or subtly, favor one side over
the other? Does the author state the purpose of the book in the introduction or conclusion?
c) Look at the author’s evidence: what sources did he or she use? Are the author’s sources one
sided. This does not mean that any conclusions from such evidence would be invalid, but the
author should demonstrate an awareness of any limitations imposed by the sources used.
4. Conclusion: Assess the organization and style of the book. Is it well-organized and clearly
written? Does the style or the content of the book recommend it to a specific readership? Offer a
final evaluation of the book: How valuable is it? How important is it to read this book? Provide
a recommendation to other readers regarding whether they should or should not read the book
and why.
Additional Questions to Include at the Bottom of Each Book Review:
At the bottom of each Book Review, students should answer the following questions:
1. What Management or Leadership skills, traits, theories, topics did you find most useful or
interesting to you as you read this book? List each skill, trait, theory, topic, etc and discuss why
you feel each was interesting or useful to you?
2. How do you think or feel you might use these things you learned in the future as a business
manager or leader?