AP European History
2015-2016
Special Quarterly Assignment---SUMMER READING---Reviewing a Non-Fiction Book
Secure a copy from Barnes and Noble Booksellers (approximately $15.00) or from the Richland County
Public Library and read the following non-fiction work:
Tuchman, Barbara W. A Distant Mirror: The Calamitous Fourteenth Century. New York: Random
House Publishing Group, 1978.
The book should be read in its entirety by the first day of school, AUGUST 17/18, 2015. The book review
will be collected on either AUGUST 31 (A Day classes) or SEPTEMBER 1 (B Day classes) and will be
weighted at 15% of the grade for the first marking period.
Overview
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. It is a reaction paper in which strengths and
weaknesses of the material are analyzed. It should include a statement of what the author has tried to
do, evaluate how well (in the opinion of the reviewer) the author has succeeded, and present evidence
to support this evaluation.
Criteria
1.
Identify the Book. Identify the book giving the author, complete title, edition (if given),
publisher, place, and date of publication. This information is almost always given on the title
page. (ANALYSIS)
 Identify the genre or form. Is it a textbook? A research paper? A dissertation? A diary?
A travelogue?
 What are the author’s credentials? Is he/she a scholar? What else has he/she written?
Does the author write from first-hand experience? Check biographical information
sources if no information on the author is given in the book.
 What is the author’s purpose? This information is often given in the preface.
 For what audience was the book written? For scholars? For students? For a popular
audience?
2. Define the Subject and Scope. (ANALYSIS)
 What is the subject of the book? Is it a general overview of a topic or does it cover only
one aspect of it? If applicable, what chronological period does it cover? Use the
author’s stated purpose and the table of contents to help you determine the coverage
of the book.
 What are the author’s theses, interpretations, and conclusions?

3.
4.
5.
6.
How well does the author develop and support his or her arguments with factual
information? Are facts distinguishable from opinion? If an argument is presented, is
more than one side of the issue discussed?
 Is the author accurate? Relative to other books on the same subject, is the book an
original and important contribution to its field of knowledge? Reviews of the book by
scholars will help you answer these questions.
Comment on Style. (CRITIQUE)
 Identify the author’s style. Is it objective, subjective, satirical? How well does the style
fit the subject? Is it written in the first, second or third person? Evaluate the quality of
the writing style by using some of the following standards: coherence, clarity,
originality, forcefulness, correct use of technical terms, conciseness, fullness of
development, fluidity.
 Is it easy or difficult to understand?
Consider the Format and Special Features. (ATTRIBUTION)
 Are there charts, graphs, or illustrations where appropriate? Are they clear and easy to
understand? Are they located near the material they are to explain?
 Does the book include special appendices or a glossary of terms?
 Is there a good, detailed index?
 Is there a bibliography? Are there primary as well as secondary sources? Is there a
variety of types of sources if appropriate (books, periodical articles, government
documents, dissertations, etc.)? If appropriate, are the sources current and up-to-date
or all from the same time category? (For instance, a book in medicine quoting sources
from the 1940s and 50s would be highly suspect.)
 Does the author use foot or end notes to clarify, define, or expand any particular points
made? Does he/she give credit to research done by others?
Personal Statement. (PERSONAL STATEMENT)
 How did the book affect you? Were any previous ideas you had on the subject changed,
abandoned, or reinforced due to this book? How is the book related to your AP
European History course? What personal experiences you’ve had relate to the subject?
State Your General Conclusions. (CRITIQUE)
 Pay particular attention to the author’s concluding chapter. Is the summary convincing?
 Restate the principal topics, and briefly summarize the author’s ideas about these
topics, main points, and conclusions. Use specific references and quotations to support
your statements.
 Would you recommend this book to others? Why?
 Restate your thesis. Do NOT introduce new material at this point.
MECHANICS
Pay attention to the grading rubric for grammar and style requirements. Make sure to use MLA
documentation for parenthetical references and bibliography. Do not use a font larger than 12 and
double-space. A title page is required. (GRAMMAR & STYLE)