From
the editor: Ways to write a good book review
By Mohammed A Bamyeh
I would
like to use this introduction as an opportunity to outline some basic
strategies of reviewing that produce good, readable, and useful book reviews.
Following these will maximize the benefit and readability of a book review.
1. Focus on what the book actually says, not
on what you want to say. You can, of course, give us your opinion of it, but
this should never come at the expense of ignoring the book’s argument. After
all, you are reviewing someone else’s work, not your own. Even if you disagree
with a book, readers generally expect the review to tell them at least what the
argument is, how it is justified, and how it relates to other literature in a
certain field. You can tell the reader that while tell- ing us why you like it
or dislike it. But typically few readers appreciate a review- er’s opinion if
they have no idea what that opinion is responding to. Do not evaluate a book in
terms of what you would have written. Try to understand what the authors you
are reviewing have tried to do, and whether they have succeeded on their own
terms, before you tell us why or not they have succeeded on yours.
2. Avoid a mechanical, chapter-by-chapter
description of the book. This approach usually produces uninspired reviews.
Some parts of the book may be more impor- tant than others, and you can focus
on those. But the best reviews sketch out the overall thesis of the book. The
review may, of course, explain how the book is structured and how its argument
progresses, but keep in mind that reviewing a book is not the same as reading
it.
3. Pay attention to language and meaning.
Avoid jargon, and do not worry too much about what you think specialized
academics like to hear. Do not use complex sentences; be short, concise, and to
the point. If the book is complex, do not reproduce its complexity. Tell us
what you are able to get out of it. It is better not to do the review than to
write gibberish. Do not try to sound needlessly profound. Be concise and to the
point. Your language needs to make sense.
4. Keep in mind that your audience is
international, not local or regional. Do not assume that all our readers are
familiar with the minutia of local or national debates, even if you happen to
live in a large country or feel that your country (or its social science
community) is important.
5. Keep in mind that your audience is
general. Write for a general audience of soci- ologists, not specialists in
your own area. Our readers come from all the subfields in sociology. Think of
your review as an opportunity to explain debates in your own specialty area to
a larger audience of social scientists. Get out of your national, regional, and
subdisciplinary shell, even your sociological shell. Think of the ability to
communicate across various divides as a calling.
6. Although publishing reviews may add to
your professional credentials, reviews should never be done exclusively for
that purpose. It is easier to write reviews if you are genuinely interested in
the ideas and debates in the books.
7. Keep notes and references to an absolute
minimum; it is preferable to avoid them altogether. A book review is not the place
for an extended thesis. Save that for a full-length article.
In general, a review is an opportunity to
engage in debates and ideas, learn some- thing new, and provide a valuable
service to a large, educated audience. But it should also be an enjoyable
activity. The best reviews are usually written by those who enjoy writing them.
Mohammed A Bamyeh
Humanity & Society 
