How to Write an Academic Book Review

For the past few years, I have been pretty intensely involved in a particular field of academics that generates a ton of monographs, books, and other book-like-things every year. One of the great ways us young academics can get our name listed along with all other rockstars of the Biblical studies field is to review one of these publications in a reputable journal. Other than writing really great blog entries with a devil-may-care attitude towards grammatical construction, this is one of the few ways to get your name “out there” and be involved in a greater conversation than our own niche area of academics might allow. (Not that I have this problem. Frankly, the many hordes of people constantly asking my opinion on Philo’s view of early Jewish paideia can sometime become almost too much to bear.)

Having survived a few of these book reviews, I feel it is my duty, nay Privilege (!), to offer up some helpful advice for those considering undertaking such a project. As usual (see most of my previous posts) I’ll do so in the only recognisable form that has any effect on this generation’s psychological receptivity, advice by way of horrendously phrased and obviously erroneous aphorism.

When picking a book to review make sure you don’t have a clue.

It’s always best to pick a book that is only tangentially related to anything you are working on. No matter how busy your life is, you should always use book reviews to expand your intellectual horizons. This works best when you are in the midst of a huge project (like a PhD thesis). To get this process started, you begin by requesting to review a book with a topic that sounds extremely interesting but requires an additional period of time to become conversant enough in the topic that you can read and understand where the book fits in the field of research. This type of undertaking always sounds like a good idea at the time and always works out to benefit you in the end. Example: Your research and interests mainly focus on Pauline theology and exegesis but for some strange reason an entire monograph about the application of the historical background of Revelation’s multi-eyed angelic beings and their social significance to the 12^th century church in Byzantine Rome is intriguing. Review away

Review guidelines consist of suggestions, don’t let them cause creative congestion.

Most review guidelines want you to limit your review to 800 words. However, you should remember that you are special and such a fabulous writer that everyone, especially the editor, will want you to feel free to write as much as you want. In fact, you are an artist and shouldn’t be contained by the rules and limits placed on everyone else. I recommend sending the review in at 13.5 size Comic Sans font. This will be sure to get everyone’s attention and help you stick out from the crowd! If the editor wants to change it they can fool around with the word processor settings, that’s why they make the big bucks.

The review books are free, request many with glee!

Stack them high and you will get to them eventually, I promise.

Respect is for the weak, never come across meek.

The most important thing to remember about writing a book review is: As a reviewer, this is you time to shine! Pick the most prestigious, educated, and notable individual in your field (preferably still living) and tear into him like a hungry raptor munching on Vincent D’Onofrio’s thigh bone. Who do they think they are writing so many books and being so highly respected in their field? It is time for new blood to revitalise this dying discipline. Sure, you haven’t written any books yourself or interacted with anything other than your tiny seminar group at the PhD level. However, you deserve to be heard! Whatever you do, don’t show any weakness or give anyone an excuse to think you might not be worthy to interact at this academic level.

In fact, I would recommend beginning with the following elements in order to undermine any suspicion that you are out of your depth. Following these suggestions will ultimately establish you as the next big “thing” in your field.

1. Begin by making a pithy comment about the author being highly respected in the field.

2. Follow this with a subtle suggestion that the content of their book does not reflect current trends in research.

3. Subtly insert a passing insinuation that the author may be suffering from early onset dementia and should probably retire.

These elements, along with the standard format of summarise and critique, should rocket you along your career path, garnering you admiration from all. Remember, this book review is really about you and showing everyone how smart and great you are. Academic glory awaits!