Introduction
A book review is an article which describes and evaluates a book. Some reviews are short, simply introducing the bibliographic information and the summary of the content. Some reviews are more scholarly and critical, analyzing the content in the scholarly context in which the book was produced. The review may include the author’s scholarly background and perspective, important arguments which shaped the research, and/or the impact of the book on the scholarly knowledge. Good book reviews thus help readers understand the arguments of the author and the value of the book.
Book reviews are published in newspapers, popular magazines, scholarly journals, and book review periodicals. Reviews may become available soon after the concerned book was published, but some reviews may appear a few years after the publication. This guide lists sources (both online and print) to find good reviews.
To find book reviews, you must have: 1) author's full name, 2) complete title of the book, and 3) year of publication (this is very important if you are looking for book reviews from print resources).
Important Databases
The databases listed here include both book reviews and articles. While searching, you may need to limit the search results to find reviews. Suggested search strategy is provided under the name of the database, but there may be other effective way to find book reviews!
- Academic search complete This link opens in a new windowType the title and/or the author's name of the book in the search bar and hit search. On the left hand toolbar, click "Book Review" under the "Source Types."
- New York Times with index This link opens in a new windowClick on "Advanced search" and type the title and the author's name.
- Reader's guide retrospective This link opens in a new windowType the title of the book and click on "Book Review" under the "Document Type" column and hit search.
- JSTOR This link opens in a new windowMost recommended website to use for researching. Click on "Advanced Search" and type in the title and/or the author, and click on the box of "Review" under "Item Type."
- Project MUSE This link opens in a new windowType the title using quotation marks and/or the author's name of the book and click on search. Click on the box for "Reviews" under "Content Type" on the left side of the page.
- Historical abstracts This link opens in a new windowType the title of the book or the author's name. Scroll down to "Document Type" and click on "Book Review." After that hit search.
- Gale literature resource center This link opens in a new windowType the title or the author's name in the search bar and unclick "All" under "by content type." Now click on the box for "Reviews and News" and hit search.
Book Review Websites
This box lists websites for book reviews.
- KirkusWebsite created by Kirkus Reviews. This site provides reviews of the recently published book.
- Books News & Reviews, The New York TimesProvides access to book reviews published in The New York Times since 1981.
- The New York Review of BooksProvides reviews on current books and issues. Type the title of the book you are interested in "Reviewed Work," then search.
Major Review Periodicals
This box lists major review index periodicals available at KU. When looking for reviews on old publications, you may need to consult with these sources.
- The Book Review Digest. Annual CumulationCall Number: Z1219 .C96KU holds up to 2002. Available at Watson Library.
