Course Title: Strategic Management
Course Requirement: Book Review
Instructions:
1. Place your book review in any small folder any color and use smallest binder clip to
bind it
2. Typewritten in standard coupon bond 8 ½ x 11” (not A4). Don’t forget to write you
name, section and course subject.
3. Use Calibri Font 12, 1.5 paragraph spacing and in between paragraphs.
4. Minimum of five (5) pages
5. Submit the project after the scheduled midterm exams. I will not accept any late
submission which would mean a grade of failing mark.
6. Follow instructions.
Notes to consider in writing your book review (project):
Book Review vs. Book Report
While a book report basically states what happens in a book, a book review incorporates your
personal opinions. In short, a review makes an argument. It is important to remember that it is
a commentary, not merely a summary. It allows you to enter into dialogue and discussion with
the author(s) and your audience (which is basically me).
I will provide the reading requirement. Upon getting the assigned book for review, you may
commence reading. I believe you can write a better review as we discussed the topics in ECO10
because it will give you a broader perspective and better reason to have an affinity for the
subject.
A book review has the basic features:
First, a review gives the reader a concise summary of the content. This includes a
relevant description of the topic as well as its overall perspective, argument, or purpose.
Second, and more importantly, a review offers a critical assessment of the content. This
involve your reactions to the work under review: what strikes you as noteworthy,
whether or not it was effective or persuasive, and how it enhanced your understanding
of the issues at hand.
Finally, in addition to analyzing the work, a review often suggests whether or not the
audience would appreciate it.
Read the book critically and analytically.
This is a rundown of questions to focus your thinking as you dig into the work at hand. Work
on what is most relevant to your chosen book.
What is the thesis—or main argument—of the book? If the author wanted you to get
one idea from the book, what would it be? How does it compare or contrast to the
world you know? What has the book accomplished?
What exactly is the subject or topic of the book? Does the author cover the subject
adequately? Does the author cover all aspects of the subject in a balanced fashion?
What is the approach to the subject (topical, analytical, chronological, and descriptive)?
How does the author support his/her argument? What evidence does she use to prove
her point? Do you find that evidence convincing? Why or why not? Does any of the
author’s information (or conclusions) conflict with other books you’ve read, courses
you’ve taken or just previous assumptions you had of the subject?
How does the author structure her argument? What are the parts that make up the
whole? Does the argument make sense? Does it persuade you? Why or why not?
How has this book helped you understand the subject? Would you recommend the book
to your reader?
Follow the following OUTLINE/DETAILS for your book review.
At the top of the first page, give the standard bibliographic citation of the work under
review.
Format: Should be 1.5 spaces, not more than 15 pages.
I. Introduction
A. Purpose of the Book
The best place to determine the purpose of the book is usually in the
preface or introduction. What demand did the author intend to fulfill
with the book? Was the book written because there was no satisfactory
work available on the subject? Does the book offer a new point of view
on a well-worn topic? Determine the audience for which the work was
intended. Was the work directed mainly at practitioners, at students, or
the general public?
B. Author’s qualifications and viewpoint
Find out the author’s academic background. Is the author a journalist,
professor, or a professional writer? Has the author written other books
on related topics?
II. Critical Summary
Be sure to identify the author’s thesis – the main argument of the book. Look for
secondary thesis and other important points. See how the author uses evidence and
examples to support arguments. Are the sources adequate and convincing? Does the
author rely mainly on primary – firsthand, documentary – sources or on secondary
sources? Consider the author’s style and presentation. Is the book well organized? Is
the prose lively, direct and clear? Take notes as you read so that you can return to
particularly important passages or especially revealing quotations. Remember that
being critical means being rational and thoughtful, not necessarily negative. Follow the
subtopics below in your discussion of Section II.
A. Thesis of the Book
B. Summary of contents
You should make sure that your paper does not become a mere summary
without analysis. In the course of making your assessment, you have to
back up your assertions with concrete evidence from the book.
C. Author’s use of evidence to support the thesis and secondary points.
Review the book in front of you, not the book you wish the author had
written. Don’t criticize the book for not being something it was not
intended to be.
Avoid excessive quotation and give a specific page reference in
parentheses when you quote. Remember that you can state many of the
author’s points in your own words.
III. Conclusion
A. Contribution of the book. How does the book fit into the prevailing discussions on
the topic? Does it break new ground? Does it answer a troublesome question?
Does it consult other sources when considering a point?
B. Overall worth of the book. Would you recommend it? For what type of audience
would it be suited? Did the author accomplish his/her purpose in writing the book?
Sum up your final judgment regarding the book. You can introduce new
ideas that go beyond the book if they extend the logic of your own
argument.
Becoming a good reviewer
I do not expect you to be the intellectual equal of the author, but your careful
observations can lead you to make reasoned judgments. Tactfully voicing agreement
and disagreement is a valuable and challenging skill this course requirement seeks to
develop in you. After all you’re a graduate program students.
