Book Review Guide
Some Key points
1. A critical book review is not the same thing as a book report. In a book report the main aim is often to just summarize what the book is about. Keep in mind that while you will do a summary, you are expected to give a critical analysis of the book outlining what you think its strengths and weakness are, given what we have learned about ethics.
2. I liked/hated the book – big deal! While is appropriate to know whether or not you liked the book, your reader will want to know why. Your evaluation of the book should be directed to an audience that needs to know if this is a good book for them to read as they search for writers that do a good job discussing ethical issues. If you did not find the book useful, again you must provide reasons for your dislike.
3. Critical reading is not a passive act. Enter into a conversation with the author, take notes in the margin or highlight key points that you think would be important for the reader of your review to know.
4. You do not have to follow a rigid formula or method. You should use an approach that is comfortable to you. However the approach should be logical and follow a few guidelines.
a. You do need to provide a summary of the author’s main points or ideas, who the author is, and some information about his/her background and expertise. This might take a little bit of research; do not just rely on the dust jacket. Keep in mind you are trying to establish the expertise base for the author. If this is an early work of the author, say so.
b. What is the author’s main point? Does the author have a particular point of view or even a bias?
c. What evidence or experience does the author draw on for his comments on ethical issues? Is his/her approach an academic study, a case analysis, or drawn from consulting practice…?
d. If the author draws any conclusions do you think they are “fair” based on the evidence he or she gives. Is there information that seems to be missing? Is only one side of a point or argument being presented?
e. Do you find the author’s arguments or position convincing, or helpful in you study of ethics – Why or why not?
f. Have you read any other books that contradict or support the arguments this author is making? Would they be useful for your reader to review or read?
5. Be Nice! I like this quote from How to Write Book Reviews by Michael Kucher
NOTE: “Critical” does not mean negative; skeptical does not mean cynical. If a book is well written and presents an original thesis supported by convincing evidence, say so. A good book review does not have to be negative; it does have to be fair and analytical. [Emphasis mine]
For with book reviewing goes a moral obligation: you hold the author’s fate in your hands as far as one group of readers is concerned. What you say in the review will, rightly or wrongly, be taken seriously. You are honor bound to be scrupulously fair. Never use the author’s admissions against him, saying, “Mr. X entirely neglects the foreign implications,” when it was he who warned you of this in the preface. Do not expect him to have written the book you have in mind, but the one he had. Recognize the amount of work that has gone into the product and be magnanimous: you may be severe on serious faults of interpretation and inference; but unless they are continual, forget the trifling errors in his
If you ever have any doubts about what tone to adopt in a review of a book you end up hating, consider this sage advice from an unknown editor: “write your most critical review as though it would appear the day after the reviewed author’s death, without embarrassing you.” [Emphasis mine]
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