Reference no: EM132190587 , Length: 4

Assignment -

Book review on Gang Leader for a Day by Sudhir Venkatesh. Where it states on the last body paragraph compare this book to Martin Sanchez Jankowski book, Islands in the Street. Minimum 4 pages.

Book Review Guidelines -

As indicated in your syllabus, this book review is worth 15% of your final grade in this course. The most important element about the book review to remember is that it is a commentary, not merely a summary. Simply present a brief outline or synopsis, indicating the general topic, the chronological scope, the major emphasis (sociological, criminological, political, economic, intellectual). Accordingly, a very general outline for the book review is the following:

I. Brief introduction

II. Description of contents

III. Assessment of value

IV. Comparison with Jankowski

V. Conclusion

Here are some general questions to keep in mind when conducting your book review.

1) What is the overall thesis of the author?

2) What are the author's reasons for writing this book?

3) What evidence is cited to support author's arguments? Is the evidence convincing? why? why not?

4) Does the book present a novel interpretation based on previously available documents?

5) Did the book enhance your understanding of critical issues as interpreted by sociologists or criminologists?

6) Has the book challenged you intellectually, increasing your sociological/criminological knowledge, or "sociological imagination" raising new questions, and/or presenting material in a provocative manner?

Finally, your review should conclude with your personal critique. Refer back to your introductory paragraphs. What is your ultimate judgment of the style, format, contents, and sociological/criminological value of this book? Has the author achieved the purpose for writing the book? Has the author persuasively argued the thesis to your satisfaction? Why or why not? Would you recommend this book to anyone? Explain.