Tapping The Power Within

Identify the book, the author, title, date and the place of publication.  Give brief biographical information that supports the competency of the author’s ability to write the book. Then state the goal of the author for writing   the   book   and   why   the   author   wrote   on   this   specific   subject?   Explain   in   your   opinion   what contribution   to   your   understanding   of   African   women,   intimacy   and   relationships   does   Vanzant make? What questions do you have about this topic that the book attempts to address?                                                                                                                                                                              Brief summary:(a few paragraphs) In the main body of your critical book review, you should begin by describing the content and organization of the book. What are the major chapters and themes? How is the book organized?  Please do not get bogged down in details. This section is only intended to prepare you for the critical assessment that will follow.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Critical assessment: (several paragraphs) Evaluate   the   book’s   contribution   to   your   understanding   of   Africana   women,   rituals,   community   and relationships.   What is valuable about the ideas offered within the reading? Identify the author’s central argument or his thesis. The thesis is not the topic of the book but the specific argument that she has made about the subject. Keep in mind, the author may state the thesis in the introduction, or sometimes in the conclusion.   Knowing   the   main   argument   will   help   guide   you   through   the   rest   of   the   book.     Such knowledge requires you to step back from the mass of information to identify the larger themes. (The critical piece of the book review is based upon your concluding if in fact the author achieves her purpose.) Review the book for the author’s perspective, point of view, or purpose. In what way does she substantiate,support,   prove   her   thesis   throughout   the   book?  Give   examples.   Does   the   author   present   and   refute opposing views? Cite specific examples from the book.  Also, look at the author’s evidence–what sources did she use to support her point of view.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Conclusion: (last paragraph or two)  Is the book’s argument convincing? Does the author successfully prove her thesis? How valuable is this  book to you? What are the strengths of the book? Is it well- organized and clearly written? Does the style or the content of the book recommend for a specific readership? To what extent did this book answer your questions? How important is it for students in an Africana women’s course to read this book?