In Defense of Scholarly Exchange: The Dwindling Art of Academic Book Reviews
The text discusses the importance of academic book reviews in scholarly exchange and expresses concerns about the declining willingness of academics to contribute reviews. Dr. Carolyn Eastman argues that book reviews offer valuable insights into a work's contribution to a field of study and calls for greater recognition of the time and labor involved.
The author draws parallels with Gail Pool's 2007 book, emphasizing the necessity of well-crafted reviews. The challenges in recruiting reviewers, negative perceptions of review activities in academia, and the potential impact on tenure and promotion are highlighted.
Suggestions include offering prizes for outstanding reviews and workshops on effective review writing. The text emphasizes the vital role of scholarly book reviews in supporting authors, publishers, and libraries, urging collaborative efforts to underscore their value and align with institutional priorities.