Book Review: Cradle-to-Cradle
One of the books used for our course is Cradle-to-Cradle: Remaking the
Way We Make Things by William McDonough and Michael Braungart. The
book is a bit of a departure from other environmentally related texts, not
only in its content but in its composition. During the first two weeks
of the January term, we will have read the entire contents of the book. Based
on your reading of the text, what we have covered in-class and your general
curiosity about the world of environmental science, use your critical thinking
skills to write a 3-4 page book review.
A few words about book reviews...
In a nutshell a book review describes and evaluates the literary work. The
review focuses on the book's purpose, contents and authority in the form
of a reaction paper. High quality reviews point out strengths and weaknesses
of the material and how such components help or hinder your understanding
of the content. They also articulate the way the author(s) construct
their arguments, establish lines of thought, and perhaps change the readers
point of view as the work progresses. As a reviewer you will need to
consider a number of questions in order to frame an appropriate reaction
paper to the text. I don't expect that you cover each question, but
you should hit a substantial majority of them as you construct your paper.
1. Questions about the author(s).
- Who is the author (or authors)?
- How does the author's background relate to the topic of the book? Does
s/he bring any special experience or training to the work? Articulate
and explain the importance of this.
- What is the author's point of view or frame of reference? Does
it appear reasonable?
2. Questions about the scope and nature of the book.
- What does the title suggest or convey to the audience about the general
scope of the book?
- How does the Table of Contents communicate how the book is organized
and the author's main ideas?
- What is the author's main purpose for writing the book? What
"hooks" the audience or how does the author hook the audience?
- Who is the target audience?
- What is the author's style (formal, conversational, etc.)? Does
it appear to engage the intended audience?
3. Questions about the thesis or arguments in the book.
- What topics do the authors cover? not cover?
- Does the author clearly define concepts and ideas?
- What kind and quality of evidence does the author use to support his/her
conclusions? Does it convince you? Do you think it convinces
others in the author's field or target audience? Is it adequate?
- Does any part or component of the book conflict with other texts you've
read, courses you've taken or previous assumptions you had of the subject?
If there is conflict, what are ways to mediate the conflict?
- Did the book accomplish what the author(s) set out to do?
4. Questions about the larger impact of the book.
- After reading the book, did the author(s) change any of your previously
held ideas? Did s/he teach you something new? Did s/he reinforce
your ideas?
- Is there anything unique to this particular book that sets it apart
from others?
- Would you recommend that others read the book? Why or why not?
You might want to be more or less specific here if you think a specific
group of people should definitely read the book.
Review Specifications
- Word processed (MS Word or compatible processor)
- 12 point font, 1 inch page margins
- Line spacing = double
- 3-4 pages
- Electronic submission by 5 pm on Tuesday, January 17th
- email as an attachment to: jackson@stolaf.edu
- copy into "Drop Box" folder on Brit L:\Classes\Interim2006\Chem124\
Disclaimer