Book Review Essay Examples
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essay examples
Book Review of the Elementary Forms of Religious Life The Elementary Forms of Religious Life is wrote by Emile Durkheim, a French sociologist, social psychologist and philosophe. Durkheim is considered as the principal architect of modern social science and father of sociology since he formally …
I will admit, the first time I tried to read A Wrinkle in Time I was utterly confused. That was in third grade; once I reread this book in sixth grade, I instantly fell in love with it, and it changed my favorite type of …
The conflict in the story begins when Kate McMahan is kidnapped. Her boyfriend Dave must find her. The conflict is person vs. person. Dave must go through many people to find Kate. There are people who try to kill Dave and kill anyone who may …
In Book I of The Republic, Socrates challenges several of his friends in a conversation which “prospects for justice.” Although I find the entire dialogue confusing and circumlocutory, I think that I might have a sense of what Socrates purpose is. It is obvious that …
I am going to write a book review on Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. This is the second book in the Harry Potter series. In this book review, I am going to write about the plot of this book. I will also write …
J. R. R. Tolkien’s review of Beowulf, “Beowulf: The Monsters and the critics” was extremely difficult to read and understand and retain. I have never had the desire to read his other works such as Lord of The Rings or The Hobbit, and now I …
In Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, Frederick Douglass exposes the brutal, inhumane treatment of slaves that he himself was forced to endure and witness firsthand by recounting his experiences as a slave as well as his quest to find freedom. He takes the …
My book was Heartland the Darkest Hour. It was written by Lauren Brooke and was 152 pages long. This book was about a girl named Amy who tries to prove to everyone that she can be as good as a professional horse racer. Throughout the …
How to write a book review Perhaps the best way to offer guidelines on how to write a book review is to give you an example of the kind of instructions and guidelines we (i. e. the academic staff) would be given by journals who …
Upon hearing the title of the book, one might assume that it will focus on the decolonization of Africa. Africa is known as the “dark continent” because it remained a mystery to European explorers for an extensive amount of time. Instead, Mark Mazower’s Dark Continent: …
As I started reading this book I couldn’t help but feel a sense of deja vu. Why were the thoughts and ideas being shared so familiar? Then I realized something, much like the author’s recollection of what his grandmother said. Many of these ideas were …
Ben Franklin Book Review Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) was a man of many trades, including an inventor, printer, scientist, educator, and politician among many other professions. During the summer of 1771, he started writing his autobiography to his son so that he would be able to …
The Cherokee Removal Book Review The Cherokee Removal is a brief history with documents by Theda Perdue and Michael Green. In 1838-1839 the US troops expelled the Cherokee Indians from their ancestral homeland in the Southeast and removed them to the Indian Territory in what …
Author Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle is a fiction story but has very much real stories that happened in early beginnings of meat packing industries. I believe Upton Sinclair’s purpose of the book was to expose but also to connect the argument of how immigrants were …
A Book Review On Martin Jacques’ When China Rules the World By Abhinav Pathak “The underlying argument of the book is that China’s impact on the world will be as great as that of the United States over the last century, probably far greater…. China, …
The Change Curve is a map used to help pinpoint where you are in a hanged initiative, where you need to go and how you should proceed to get there. There are five phases of the Change Curve: Stagnation, Preparation, Implementation, Determination, and Fruition. By …
The basic story line to the book is all about a man who experiences a ballooning accident where he and a group of other guys try to pull down a balloon that has a boy in, which is the captain of the air balloons grandson… …
“When you see a good man, try to emulate his example, and when you see a bad man, search yourself for his faults” That quote is one of the many morals stated by the ancient Chinese philosopher, Confucius, which we still live by today. The …
In the political and social satire A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur”s Court, Mark Twain demonstrates his excessive pride and glory in the political, economic, and technological advances of his time by developing an interesting plot in which an 19th century mechanic travels back to …
The autobiographical book Cheaper by the Dozen was written in 1949. Since then, it has been reprinted numerous times, most recently in 2003. The book, written by Frank B. Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey, two of the twelve children of Frank and Lillian Gilbreth, …
In The Last Song God is talked bout a lot and believe since Sparks was Catholic, that influenced him to add his religion into his Story. I personally do not see the author in the Story. I think he did not want to add himself …
The book “Imperial Germany 1871-1918” by Volker R. Berghahn has the under title Economy, Society, Culture and Politics and was first published in 1994 by Berghahn books. The used edition is the revised and expanded edition published in 2005 and summarizes the events in the …
Kennedy Kelly-Hooks Period: 5 October 20th, 2012 Tyldesley, Joyce A. Nefertiti: Egypt’s Sun Queen. London: Viking, 1998. Print. In the times of Ancient Egypt women did not have a prominent role in society. Women rarely had power and most systems were patriarchal. Queens in Ancient …
On given an opportunity, I wondered what should be the theme of my speech. Should I go for the Nobel laureates or the most popular figurines or people who changed this world? Nobel laureates are historic, and popular people as noted are already quite popular. …
Im going to give you my take on the book 46 pages by Scott Liell. This book was first copyrighted in 2003. This book is general consensuses of how Scoot Liell viewed Thomas Paine’s writing of Common Sense and the Turning point to Independence and …
In Peter Bergen’s Holy War, Inc, the reader is ushered through a head-spinning trip around the globe that serves to highlight the far-reaching effects of Al Qaeda, a terrorist organization that Bergen likens to a Multi-national holding company. While Bergen makes reference to similarities between …
A book review is a description, critical analysis, and an evaluation on the quality, meaning, and significance of a book, not a retelling. It should focus on the book’s purpose, content, and authority. A critical book review is not a book report or a summary. …
Slavery, Law and Society in the British Windward Islands 1763-1823 September 29, 2011 Lecturer: Dawn M. McNeil Reviewed by Natasha Stewart DR BERNARD MARSHALL (2007) SLAVER, LAW AND SOCIETY Published by Arawak Publications ISBN 976 8189 81 9 (hbk) ISBN 976 8189 27 4 (pbk) …
In this way, Suntan’s high and low points are drastically influenced by her social and physical situations. Suntan’s life Is sprinkled with a series of high points all centered on her level of independence at that particular time. For example, her happiest moments In life …
Mr.Stark uses a quantitative approach to explain his theories on how Christians could have gained so many converts without miraculous methods. This quantitative approach included the use of numerical projections based on historical documents and sociological propositions to produce his own prediction on how Christianity …
What Is a Book Review?
A book review is an evaluation and analysis of a book's content, style, and merit. It is a critical assessment of the book that provides an overview of the book's key themes, strengths, and weaknesses. The purpose of a book review is to inform potential readers about the book and provide a recommendation for whether or not it is worth reading.
A book review typically includes the following elements:
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- Summary: A brief summary of the book's content and main themes.
- Analysis: A critical analysis of the book's strengths and weaknesses. This may include an assessment of the writing style, the author's argument or thesis, the quality of the research, and the effectiveness of the book's organization.
- Evaluation: An overall evaluation of the book's merit. This may include a recommendation for whether or not the book is worth reading, and for whom it might be most appropriate.
- Comparison: A comparison of the book to other books on similar topics, or to the author's previous works.
- Context: A discussion of the book's historical or cultural context, or its relevance to current events or debates.
Book reviews can be written by professional book critics, academics, or other experts in the field. They can also be written by ordinary readers who want to share their opinion of a book. Book reviews are commonly found in newspapers, magazines, and online publications, and they can also be posted on book review websites, such as Goodreads or Amazon.
Overall, a book review is an important tool for readers to use when deciding which books to read, and for authors to receive feedback on their work.
How to Write a Book Review
Writing a book review can be a challenging task, but it is a great way to engage with a book and share your thoughts with others. Here are some steps to follow when writing a book review:
- Read the book: Read the book thoroughly, taking notes on key themes, characters, and important events.
- Consider the audience: Think about who your audience is and what they might be interested in. Are you writing for a general audience or for academics?
- Provide a brief summary: Provide a brief summary of the book, including the author's main argument or thesis, the key themes, and the major characters.
- Evaluate the book: Evaluate the book by considering its strengths and weaknesses. What are the author's main arguments, and how effectively are they presented? Does the book provide new insights into the topic? Are there any weaknesses or limitations in the book's arguments or evidence?
- Provide evidence: Support your evaluation with evidence from the book. Use specific examples from the text to illustrate your points and provide evidence for your analysis.
- Discuss the author's writing style: Consider the author's writing style and how effective it is in conveying the book's ideas. Is the writing clear and engaging? Does the author use effective techniques to convey their message?
- Recommend the book: Based on your evaluation, recommend the book to your audience. Who would benefit from reading this book, and why?
- Edit and revise: Review and edit your review for clarity, grammar, and spelling errors.
Overall, when writing a book review, it's important to balance a summary of the book with your own analysis and evaluation. Use evidence from the book to support your analysis, and provide a clear and engaging evaluation of the book's strengths and weaknesses. By following these steps, you can write a thoughtful and engaging book review.
Book Review Template
A book review template is a useful tool for organizing your thoughts and writing a structured book review. Here is a basic book review template:
- Introduction
- Provide basic information about the book, including the author's name, title, and publication date
- Provide a brief summary of the book's content
- Evaluation
- Discuss the book's strengths and weaknesses
- Evaluate the author's arguments and evidence
- Analyze the book's themes and messages
- Evidence
- Provide specific examples from the book to support your evaluation
- Quote from the text to illustrate your points
- Writing Style
- Analyze the author's writing style
- Discuss how effectively the author communicates their message
- Evaluate the author's use of language and tone
- Conclusion
- Summarize your evaluation of the book
- Provide a recommendation for whether or not the book is worth reading
- Identify the book's target audience
Remember, this is just a basic template, and you should adapt it to fit the specific requirements of your book review. You may need to include additional sections, such as a discussion of the book's historical or cultural context, or a comparison to other books on the same topic. Your instructor or editor may also provide a specific template or guidelines for you to follow.
Most reviewed books
There are many books that have been reviewed by American students, but some of the most reviewed books include:
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To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee - This classic novel is a staple of American literature and is frequently assigned in schools. It tells the story of a young girl named Scout growing up in the South during the 1930s and grappling with issues of race and injustice. The book has been widely praised for its powerful storytelling and its ability to tackle difficult topics in a way that is accessible to young readers.
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The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald - Another classic of American literature, "The Great Gatsby" is a story of love, greed, and social climbing set against the backdrop of the Roaring Twenties. The book has been widely praised for its vivid characters, its beautiful prose, and its exploration of the American Dream.
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1984 by George Orwell - This dystopian novel has become a classic of political literature and is frequently assigned in high school and college classes. It tells the story of a future society where the government has total control over every aspect of people's lives, and is a warning about the dangers of authoritarianism and the importance of individual freedom.
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The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger - This coming-of-age novel follows the adventures of a teenage boy named Holden Caulfield as he grapples with issues of identity and belonging. The book has been widely praised for its honest portrayal of teenage angst and its exploration of themes like alienation and disillusionment.
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The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - This popular young adult novel is set in a dystopian future where teenagers are forced to compete in a televised death match. The book has been praised for its fast-paced action, its strong female protagonist, and its exploration of themes like power and control.
Other books that are frequently reviewed by American students include "The Outsiders" by S.E. Hinton, "Lord of the Flies" by William Golding, and "The Scarlet Letter" by Nathaniel Hawthorne.