RUBRIC FOR BOOK REVIEW 1. Choose a book from one of the suggested reading sections in our textbooks. You may choose any book you like, but this book is at least 200 pages in length and has footnotes, endnotes, or bibliographies. Bring the book for my approval. 2. Read the book carefully and take notes while reading it. The function of the papers is to help you think about the discipline of history and to develop the writing and analytical skills needed to interpret history. In essay you will be expected to analyze the account of some aspect of the past that the book offers and to evaluate, as best you are able, its historical accuracy. To some extent you will have to approach the book on its own terms, but in writing your essay you may want to consider some of the following questions: What is the author''s thesis? What does he think has proved or demonstrated by writing his book? What arguments or evidence does he offer to document his thesis? What kinds of material does he cover in his book? Does he have a point of view that seems to bias either his thesis or his handling of his evidence? What are his underlying values and assumptions? What does the monograph add to your understanding of the subject? Did you enjoy reading it? Why or why not? 3. In your book review, you should include: • Information on the author. Identification of the author’s main thesis. What is the author’s purpose for writing the book? • Analysis of the author’s technique (e.g. how does the author organize his or her book? What kinds of evidence does the author use? Is the author’s prose scholarly or meant to appeal to a broader audience? To what extent does the author cite other authorities? How up-to-date is this book?, etc) • How does this book compare to our text book, other books, or material we have covered in class? What are the similarities and differences in this author’s interpretations? • How did I react to the book (e.g. was it easy to read or difficult? Did I learn anything new from it? Did I enjoy? Did it change my mind about the subject I am studying?) 4. The finished book review should be three to four double-spaced pages in length, printed in 12-point font with 1-inch margins.