Book Review Format
Unless otherwise specified all books on the list are non-fiction, not novels!!
Book Titles are Always underlined or italicized
A book review should be no less than 4-6 pages double-spaced! It should be under 10 pages. A book review is not a book report there are fundamental differences. A book report is concerned with plot, i.e. making sure you read the book. A book review focuses on OBJECTIVE analysis, making sure you understand what you read and are conversant in the book itself as well as understanding the meaning of the book. This means that you should not ever, ever use the words “I” or “me”! There are basic rules to the format of the book review, most importantly; plot details should be kept to an absolute minimum. Keep in mind this book is a work of non-fiction, as such, it is not a novel. The number of sentences is fluid, while I’ve made recommendations, you will most likely find that you may have to exceed the amount or in rare cases come in with fewer. That’s fine. Also remember, any time you change ideas, you change paragraphs. Remember to use limited Quotes to back up your ideas (it’s better to paraphrase when possible)! Finally, do NOT label the sections, your writing should take care of that.
Remember any analysis you write must be backed up with specific examples from the book. Book titles are always underlined or italicized, never put in quotes. Please use Times New Roman 12 font, double spacing & no extra spaces between paragraphs.
Section 1 is the introduction. It should not be longer than a single paragraph and the paragraph should be reasonably short, approx. 5-6 sentences. The introduction sets the tone of your paper. It should be the “menu” for your paper, where you introduce the book and the points you are going to be bringing up in your paper.
Section 2 is a brief synopsis of the book. Do NOT go into great detail. You would mention what the book is about and who the main viewpoints are as seen through the eyes of whomever. You can say what years the book covers. Mention highlights, main points specific ideas. Once again do not go into too much detail. We all read the book we know what happens. This synopsis should not be more than 8-12 sentences.
Section 3 is your analysis of the book. What’s the main theme? How is it written? Is the author biased? Is his writing style effective? Is his information accurate? You don’t have to answer all these questions but you should answer most. Most importantly you cannot simply make a statement like “The author is biased.” And leave it at that. You have to back up what you write. Where is the author biased i.e. we need examples. If you propose that the main theme is something you have to back it up FROM THE BOOK. Remember this is an analytical paper, not a plot paper. There should be no plot in this section. This is probably the longest section of a book review. It should take you through the rest of page one and onto page two, between 14 to 20 sentences. There is a lot of information here so use your space wisely. Do not make statements that cannot be supported. Keep in mind whenever you change the topic, you have to start a new paragraph! Remember to use examples from the book to back up your analysis.
Section 4 is your reaction to the book. Did you like it? Why or why not. What was most interesting to you? What struck you the most when you read the book? Did you like the way the author wrote the book? Did you learn anything? This is an important section of the paper but remember at no time should the words “I”, “Me” or “My” occur in the paper. Find an interesting way to say you liked the book or a section of it, make it a general statement that can encompass all readers. If you’re critical of writing style, word usage or just the general tone, you have to back it up with quotes from the book. There should be no plot here either. This section should be 8 to 10 sentences long.
Section 5 is the conclusion. Run through your main points again (briefly) and reiterate what you thought were the most important points of the book. Make a definitive statement about the book that is supported by the rest of your paper. Make sure all quotes are properly documented otherwise you’ve plagiarized. DO NOT USE THE PHRASE “In conclusion”! That is non-essential word usage, I know it’s the conclusion, it’s the last paragraph.
Books for Book Review
Choose 1, you are responsible for getting access to the book
In the Company of Soldiers by Rick Atkinson
We Band of Angels by Elizabeth M. Norman
Just Americans by Robert Asahina
Mornings on Horseback by David McCullough
Guests of the Ayatollah:The Iran Hostage Crisis by Mark Bowden
Charlie Wilson’s War by George Crile
The Last Stand: Custer, Sitting Bull & the Battle of Little Bighorn by Nathaniel Philbrick
The Longest Winter by Alex Kershaw
Sin in the Second City: Madams, Ministers, Playboys and the Battle for America’s Soul by Karen Abbott
In the Kingdom of Ice by Hampton Sides
The Rape of Nanking: The Forgotten Holocaust of World War II by Iris Chang
The Real All-Americans by Sally Jenkins
Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President by Candice Millard
The Great Bridge: The Epic Story of the Building of the Brooklyn Bridge by David McCullough
Close to Shore: The Terrifying Shark Attacks of 1916 by Michael Capuzzo
The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson
One Minute to Midnight by Michael Dobbs
Code Talker: The First and only Memoir by One of the Original Navajo Code Talkers of World War II by Chester Nez
Ghost Soldiers by Hampton Sides
Ricky & Robinson: The Men Who Broke Baseballs Color Barrier by Harvey Frommer
The Last of the Doughboys by Richard Rubin
The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America’s Shining Women by Kate Moore
One Square Mile of Hell by John Wukovits
Tinseltown: Murder, Morphine & Madness at the Dawn of Hollywood by William Mann
Triangle: The Fire that Changed America by David von Drehle
Ordinary Men by Christopher R.
Flapper: A Madcap Story of Sex, Style, Celebrity & the Women who made America Modern by Joshua Zeitz
Eruption: The Untold Story of Mount St Helens by Steve Olson
Crazy ’08 by Cait Murphy
The Nazi Officer’s Wife: How One Jewish Woman Survived the Holocaust by Edith Beer
PAPERS:
All papers are FORMAL and MUST be typed
Times New Roman 12 Font
double spaced
1 Inch Margins
All papers should have:
an introduction
conclusion
multiple body paragraphs.
Appropriate citation must also be used (MLA, APA, Chicago are all fine)
To Be Considered on Time, papers must be uploaded in Canvas by 11:59 PM of the date specified.
You will lose points for:
improper grammar
spelling errors
not underlining book titles or italicizing film titles!!
Book Titles are always underlined or italicized- They are NEVER put in quotations
Movie Titles are always italicized- They are NEVER put in quotations
