Critical reviews are a specific form of writing and an essential tool in the field of history. Rather than summarizing a secondary work, as in a book report, a review evaluates the content, style, and context of the work with careful analysis in a short critical essay. Its basic components include (1) a clear theme or argument, (2) a very short profile or synopsis of the book, and (3) a logically organized critical assessment of the strengths, weaknesses, and context of the work.
