A critical book review should contain three types of information: 1) an overview of the content: 2) an evaluation: and 3) a recommendation.
Overview of the content. Briefly, describe the purpose of the book, the author’s viewpoint, and the general content. This material should be kept to a minimum.
Evaluation of book. This is the heart of the book review and should be given much thought. In evaluating the book, the reviewer might consider the following:
How successful is the author in doing what was proposed
Are the major themes or ideas well developed
What are the strengths and weakness of the book
Is the subject matter approached in an unusual or unique fashion
What is the quality of the scholarship
Is the material well documented
Are generalizations well supported
How well written is the book
Is the book organized in a logical manner
How does it compare with other well-known treatments of the same subject
Recommendation. To whom would you recommend this book (if at all)
Why
In what way(s) would you suggest the book be used
What relevance does the book have for the training/education/prevention, Law Enforcement or Public Safety careers in terms of theory or practice
Aspects of content, evaluation, and recommendation might be treated separately or interwoven throughout the narrative review. Avoid dwelling upon extraneous or peripheral concerns, minor points in the text, or technical printing errors.
Mechanics.
The review should be approximately 4-6 pages in lengths, double spaced and typed.
If quoting directly from the book, put a page number in parentheses after the quote.
At the top of your review, include author, title, publisher, place and date of publication, and number of pages.
On the cover sheet list your name and the date the review is submitted.
If you used additional references, then you must cite and reference the source on a reference page at the end of your review according to APA style.