Assignment:
• Assignment: write a book review of Philip Zachemuk, Colonial Subjects: An African Intelligentsia and Atlantic
• Length: 5 to 7 pages, typed, double-spaced, with standard margins.
• Format:
1. Approximately one-third to one-half of your review should explain the argument of the book AND the evidence on which it is based.
2. In the remaining portion of the review, you should critically assess and analyze the contents of the book and discuss their significance. What contribution does the book make to African history, how does it do so, and by what methodology? What are the author's most important contributions? What are the weaknesses of the book?
• In general, your book review should not be a simple SUMMARY of the book you have read. You must instead write an analysis of the author's argument(s) and major findings, based on a careful and close reading of the book. You will of course need to discuss what is IN the book, but, try and use this discussion as a jumping off point to explore more important issues, including:
1. What is the author's argument [what is he trying to prove?]
2. What are his sources, what evidence does he use [e.g. what are they? How well does he use them?]
3. What does the book contribute to the broader field of Nigerian and African History?
4. Be sure to include your owniopinions and assessment of the quality of the book. Do NOT simply write, "I liked the book," but offer informed opinions [why do you "like" or "dislike" the book related directly to the author's analysis of the past] supported by evidence from text.