Alan MacEachern The Miramichi Fire History Book Report

Book Review
You will have to write a 5-page review of Alan MacEachern The Miramichi
Fire (Montreal and Kingston, McGill-QueenàUniversity Press).
Please note that a book review at the university level in no way resembles the
type of book report done in high school where the student reads the book,
summarizes the plot, and describes the event but leaves the ending untold so that
the suspense will not be broken. On the contrary, a university level book review of a
historical text points out the conclusions and assesses their validity. The purpose of a
review is not merely to describe the contents of a book in narrative form, but to
analyze the strengths and weaknesses of a book, to estimate its contribution(s) of
knowledge, and to provide an opinion to its prospective reader of its general worth.
Is it a good book? Why or why not? To do a good review, quickly read through the
book for general content, noting anything that seems significant or controversial.
Pay particular attention to the introduction and conclusion both of the book and of
the individual chapters. Then go back and consider the basic structure and thesis of
the book. As you read, keep several questions in mind:
1. What is the subject and purpose of the book (general text, new interpretation,
synthesis, propaganda, etc.)?
2. If the author says he/she is doing something new, what is that? Does he/she
succeed at what he/she says is the purpose?
3. What is the authoràpoint of view on the subject? Is the author presenting a
biased approach?
4. How valid is the authoràpoint of view and how well is he argument presented?
Does he/she convince you? What other evidence might he/she have used if the
arguments aren entirely convincing? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the
book?
5. Consider the sources used (primary, secondary and other sources listed in the
bibliography and notes). Are these sources valid? Is there anything that the author
should have looked at but didn? Also consider whether the style and organization
of the book helps or hinders the author in making his/her case.
6. Finally, assess how important the book is and whether the author has fulfilled the
purpose for which the book was intended. Would you recommend this book? If so,
to whom would you recommend it?

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