Westward Movement (Hist 407)                                                                   Prof. Long

Fall 2009                                                                                                         Book Review #1

Review of James Merrell’s Into the American Woods:  Negotiators on the Pennsylvania Frontier.

On the first page of the review briefly describe the contents of the book and identify the author’s thesis, that is explain his main argument. Especially scrutinize the author’s preface and/or other introductory matter for help in this area.  After this summary of the book’s content and thesis spend the rest of the review assessing the strength of the author’s argument and offering a critical analysis of the book’s strengths and weaknesses including the literary quality of the work.  Remember, it is important to discuss both the strong and weak points of the work.

            Include in your analysis:

1. a critical examination of the author’s sources

2. an extended discussion of  the author’s argument about the actions, successes, and failures of Indian/settler negotiators in the mid-1700s. 

Conclusion:   Finally, summarize your positive or negative assessment of the book in the last paragraph.  Directly relate such comments to the evaluation of the content, thesis and quality of research described earlier in the paper.  Make it as strong as possible. 

Basic Format and General Considerations:

Papers must be 3 pages in length.  Type in 12-point Times New Roman font; double-space your text.  Leave the margins at their default settings.  Spelling, punctuation, and grammar should be correct and follow standard usage.  Consult Kate L. Turabian,  A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations (Sixth Edition) and a dictionary for assistance.

Be specific on every point in your paper.  Be certain to explain all statements regarding the author’s arguments as well as the evaluation of the thesis and content, literary quality, and research of the book.  In addition you are expected to assess the entire book.

Use quotations sparingly, only when they make a forceful point or illustrate something unusual about the book.  Do not pad your review with quotations to meet the length requirement for this assignment.  Also, do not footnote a review.  If you use a quotation, put the page number of its source in parentheses at the end of the sentence containing the quotation.

Your reviews should be written as if for professional historians and advanced history students, meaning you may assume your reader has a certain amount of historical knowledge. 

Include this Citation at the top (the very first line of the first page) of your review:

Into the American Woods:  Negotiators on the Pennsylvania Frontier.  By James H. Merrell. New York:  W. W. Norton & Co., 1999.  Reviewed by your name.

No cover sheet is necessary. 

This assignment is due at the beginning of class on Sept. 24.