Mr. Ronzino’s Summer Book Review I know Why the Caged Bird Sings

One of the evidences of discriminating reading is the ability to place on paper important points gained from the work.  There are many ways of writing a review.  The following suggestions are offered to improve the quality of your review and to provide a framework for discriminating reading.  

Each review should contain three main elements:  first, a clear identification of the author’s main point, or THESIS; second, the DEVELOPMENT, or the manner in which the author proves the thesis; finally, your CRITIQUE of the work.  

Hart, John M.  Revolutionary Mexico: The Coming and Process of the Mexican Revolution.  Berkeley: University of California Press, 1987.  Pp. xi, 478.

Hynes, Samuel L.  The Soldiers' Tale: Bearing Witness to Modern War.  New York: Penguin Books, 1997.  Pp. xvi, 318.

The THREE MAIN ELEMENTS required for your review:

I.  THESIS  This is a statement of the author’s point of view with regard to the subject matter.  It may be expressed explicitly or implicitly.  It may consist of several theses, bound together in the subject matter.  In rare cases there be no thesis.  In general, the thesis is the unifying element of the book and thus must be clearly identified.    
II.  DEVELOPMENT  This is the manner in which the author proves the thesis.  Consider the following questions: What does the writer say?  How does he/she argue his/her position?  Analysis rather than a mere summary of the book’s content is desirable.  Avoid presenting simply a long narration of the story, but do be sure to provide the major points made by the author.   
         Some examples should be given to show how the author proves the thesis.  The following questions should be answered in indicating how the author does so:  

          A.  What is the nature of the material used?  Does the author rely mostly on primary or secondary sources?  Briefly identify the type of material used--it's often helpful to observe the footnotes, and consult the bibliography normally provided at the end of the book.  

          B.  How well is the work organized?  What is the topical and chronological range of the book?  In other words, is this book the complete history of a period, or a thematic account of one particular subject?  

          C.  What is the emphasis?  What does the writer consider the most important of the material he/she presents?  Does the author emphasize economic, political, intellectual, religious, or other elements?    

        A.  The author’s particular bias or point of view.  Is the writer impartial, objective or prejudiced, sympathetic to any social class or group or economic and political practices?  Why have they written this book--do they have “an ax to grind?”  For example, a participant in the Russian Revolution of 1917, World War II, or the German Revolution of 1989 who then authored a work on the subject would bring certain opinions, biases, and experiences to their book.  As a reviewer, you should be conscious of this--read the preface or introduction, where such information is often located.

        B.  The “internal validity” of the work--does the author prove the stated thesis to your critical satisfaction?  In other words, does he/she provide a sound and convincing argument?  Or have certain questions been raised and then not answered?  Writers will often identify in the introduction, or the preface, the questions they plan to address in the book--thus read the preface or introduction carefully before you begin the work itself.  

        C.  The literary quality of the book.  In your opinion, is this a well-written book, interesting and enjoyable?  Or is it colorless and dull?   

        B.  Write the review in your own words.  Plagiarism is stealing and will absolutely not be tolerated.  If occasionally you find it necessary to use material from the book you are reviewing, use quotation marks to indicate that it is not your work.