Four Paragraph Book Review. (About 600 words). Due Tuesday, Nov. 18

Write an analytical review of Michael Johns' Moment of Grace: The American City in the 1950s, in which you follow the standard format for book reviews in this class.

•  Argument. In the first paragraph, identify the purpose of the book. Why is the author writing? What is the message he is attempting to convey? Why does it matter? Is there a specific thesis that he is advancing here?

•  Summary. In the second paragraph, summarize the book. What do its chapters contain? How is it organized? What historical evidence does the author use to support his argument?

•  Analysis. In the third paragraph, identify the strengths and weaknesses of the book. Where is the author's argument compelling? Where does it fall short? What is particularly persuasive? What is missing?

•  Context. Finally, place the book into the context of the course. How does the book fit with the lectures and other readings? What does it add to our understanding of American urban life in the early nineteenth century?

A good essay will answer each of the questions clearly, accurately and succinctly. Please provide footnotes or endnotes identifying the source of each quotation (including page numbers)

Based on an assignment described in Benjamin Grob- Fitzgibbon , "Rediscovering the Book Review," Perspectives on History, May 2008 ( http://www.historians.org/perspectives/issues/2008/0805/0805vie1.cfm)