How to Write an Effective Academic Book Review

Vittore Carpaccio, The Virgin Reading, c. 1500, oil on panel, 78 × 51 cm, Samuel H. Kress Collection, National Gallery of Art, Washington DC. Accession No. 1939.1.354

Academic book reviews play a crucial role in scholarly communication. They help readers quickly understand a book’s content, assess its contribution to the field, and place it in the context of ongoing debates. Reviews also provide authors with constructive feedback, encouraging reflection, refinement, and dialogue within their discipline. In short, they bridge the gap between new scholarship and the wider academic community.

What Makes a Good Book Review?

An excellent book review is able to convey an impressive summary of the book, which effectively describes the content of the book. This should include topic, historiography, organisation, method, and argument of the book. At the same time, like all reviews, an academic book review shouldn’t simply describe a book but should also critique it, and consider questions such as:

• How original is the work?

• How robust is its framework and methodology?

• What are the book’s strengths and weaknesses?

• How effectively does it convey its arguments?

By addressing these points, your review moves beyond description and helps readers understand the book’s value—and any limitations—within its scholarly context.

Approaches to Structuring Your Review

There is no single “correct” way to structure an academic book review, but two common approaches are:

1. Chapter-by-chapter summary – Provide a concise overview of each chapter and use about half of your review to critique the work, like this one.

2. Thematic approach – Focus on the main themes, methodology, and arguments of the book, weaving in your critique throughout, like this one.

Both approaches allow you to balance description with critical evaluation, so choose the one that best fits the book and your writing style.

Sample Book Review Plan

Here’s a practical template you can adapt:

I) Introduction

Write 2–3 sentences introducing:

• The author and their background

• The book’s topic and scope

• The fields or debates it contributes to

• Its main argument and methodology

II) Summary (2–3 paragraphs)

Give an overview of the book’s structure:

• What each chapter covers

• Key points or arguments

• The overall organisation of the work

III) Critique (2–3 paragraphs)

Focus on two or three elements to evaluate:

• Strengths: What does the book do particularly well?

• Weaknesses: Are there gaps, unclear arguments, or limitations?

• Evidence and methodology: Are sources and methods used effectively?

IV) Concluding Remarks

Wrap up by answering the “so what?” question:

• How significant is the book to its field?

• Who should read it, and why?

• Are there any reasons a reader might avoid it?

An effective book review is not just a summary but a conversation with the text. By combining description with thoughtful analysis, you help your readers understand both the book itself and its wider place in the scholarly landscape.

If you are interested in writing a book review for the European Review of History, please contact us! All reviewers receive a free copy of the book they are reviewing and their work published in the journal.