Guideline for Preparing Book Reviews

General Comments

A book review should provide an overview of the contents and an evaluation of the book's relevance. However, more than a summary of contents should be provided. The review should address additionally the main ideas, approaches and interpretations of the author. A good review should provoke reflection on the part of the reader. Both the strengths and weaknesses of the book should be addressed.

The following phrases may be helpful in suggesting a subset of points to address in the body of the review:
Purpose of the book? Intended for information system practitioners in government, the commercial sector or academia? Intended for a wider audience that may include information system practitioners and students?  Interesting and relevant to the readership of a course such as this?  An edited book with numerous authors? Worthwhile contribution to the existing literature? How is it different or what does it add? Accurate? Clear? Concise? Interesting? Well-organized? Flow well? Up to date? Authoritative? Adequately tied to the relevant literature? Figures, tables, and photos worthwhile and appropriate? More or fewer figures, tables and photos desirable? Quality of print, cover and binding? Author's writing style works well with the material? Valuable as resource for students, entry-level practitioners, technical staff, managers, experienced practitioners, educators, researchers? Of use in the classroom? Reference text for a library? Conclusions or summary appropriate and supported by the content? 

Format of the Book Review:

At the beginning of the review, include:
Title of book (with edition if appropriate)
Names of authors or editors
Year of publication
Name and complete address of publisher
Number of pages, ISBN number, and whether available in hard or paper cover

The text of the review should run typically from 1000 to 1500 words, no more.

At the end of the review, include for publication:
Your name, title, organizational affiliation, city, state, and email address.

Submission Process:

Submit the book review electronically to the course homework/exam drop box on FirstClass.

Please note that the above book review instructions were copied from URISA Book Review Guidelines and you may want to consider submitting your review to that or a similar Journal.