Book+Review


 * Mr. Simon**
 * You and the Law**


 * Book Review Format**

You will write a review of a non-fiction book that addresses some aspect of the U.S. legal system. You must post your book choice on the google group for my approval. No more than 2 people can choose the same book. First come, first serve.

The review should be approximately 4-6 pages in length, typed, double spaced and formatted according to Chicago conventions. The review is due on Friday, January 16. You will make a brief presentation in class on your book.


 * Remember, I must approve all choices for appropriateness. You can choose one of the books on the or add a new book. If you add something I will give it a Y or N for appropriateness.**


 * The format is as follows.**


 * Include at the top the: Title, Author, Publisher: City, date, # of pages**


 * 1. Summary Description**

A brief description of the purpose of the book. This should include a brief summary of the content and organization of the book. More importantly your review should articulate the author’s argument/point of view in the book. In other words, what does the author set out to do? How does the author approach the subject(s) in your book? Does he have a clear bias that is reflected in the content or the language? Who is his intended audience?

After reading this first section of your review, the reader should have a good idea of what the book is trying to do and of the ground it covers. The reader should not yet know, in depth, what you think about this approach or how successfully you think the author implements it.


 * 2. Analysis**

What do you think of the book? What are its strengths and weaknesses? Did you learn anything from it? If so, what specifically did you learn and how did it help you understand the individual subject and the legal system as a whole? How does it read? Did the book hold your interest? Did the author cover the subject completely, or spend too much time on one aspect of the subject at the expense of another? Were there any sections/ideas/items that you found particularly useful? Not useful? Incorrect or way off base?


 * 3. Conclusions**

What would you say to other people about this book? Did you enjoy it? Would you recommend it? To whom? Why? Be specific.


 * NOTE:** After reading your review, the reader should have a good idea of whether or not s/he wants to read this book, or refer to it for specific items or chapters. Particularly in sections I and II, it is appropriate to include short quotations from the work (and other related works to be cited in a bibliography) to illustrate your summary and analysis.