Book reviews should evaluate the assigned book by providing information based on each of the following four sections:

I. Thesis and Conclusions:
A. Identify the scope of the book (time period covered, topics considered, and players involved).
B. Identify the author’s main argument in his thesis statement.
C. Identify how the author supports his thesis. What kind of evidence does he use? Do this by considering the type of notes presented. Does he use primary research (documents, letters, etc. . .) or does he use secondary research (books and articles written by other historians).
D. Include any relevant information about the author that might condition his own argument. This should not be personal information about the author (such as information provided in a synopsis), but should consider the time and environment in which the author wrote the book. Consult information from The Author’s Index and/or Contemporary Authors for help. What type of historian is the author?
E. Identify the author’s conclusion. Is his conclusion consistent with his thesis statement?