ASAM book review

Choose one of the three suggested texts, or get approval from me for a different book by November 6. Read carefully. Examine the endnotes and sources. Keep track of the other scholars and works mentioned. Track the overall argument. Chart the arguments made in each chapter. Take notes on things you find interesting, questions you have, and the relationship between evidence and argument. Figure out who the audience for the book is. Then, take all this knowledge and data about the book and write a five-to-seven-page book review. A successful book review will provide a summary of the book and an analysis of the book’s argument. Without becoming a story of you reading the book, the review will offer readers insight into the questions a careful reader would have. Based on the likely audience, as well as other scholars mentioned in the text and the author’s use of them, the review will situate the book in its intellectual context.

The review will use a formal academic style with proper grammar, citation, and a coherent argument. It should be double-spaced, in a standard 12-point font, and use standard margins. I prefer Chicago citation, but you may use any citation method you choose so long as you cite correctly.