Guidelines for Book Reviews

Druze Studies Journal (DSJ) – Book Review Guidelines

Thank you for your interest in writing a book review for the Druze Studies Journal (DSJ). We value your contribution and ask that you follow these updated guidelines to ensure clarity, scholarly rigor, and consistency.

To choose your book for review, please consult the list of "Books Available for Review" here: https://druze.ku.edu/books-available-review. We will welcome additional suggestions for relevant books to review. If you want to review a book that is not on the list, it is advised to reach out to the editor.

General Information

Length: Standard reviews should be between 800 and 1,200 words. Longer review essays (up to 3,000 to 5,000 words) may be accepted if they cover multiple books or engage deeply with broader scholarly debates in Druze Studies. Please contact the editor to discuss the option of a longer review essay before you start.

Submission: Submit your review via DSJ’s submission system: https://journals.ku.edu/druze/about/submissions (select “Reviews” under “Section”). For any technical issues please email Dr. Rami Zeedan at rzeedan@ku.edu or druzestudies@ku.edu. 

Content & Structure

Your review should go beyond summarizing the book. Please include:

• Author Information: Who is the author/editor? What are their qualifications or scholarly background?
• Goals & Thesis: What are the book’s stated objectives? Have they been achieved?
• Scholarly Merit: Is the work methodologically sound and well-researched?
• Contribution to the Field: How does the book advance Druze Studies or relate to broader scholarship, such as political, historical, sociological, medical, religious, etc.?
• Writing Style: Is the book clearly written and accessible?
• Audience & Value: Who should read this book? Is it worth purchasing or assigning in courses?
• For edited volumes, you do not need to address every chapter. Instead, highlight key themes, trends, or particularly strong contributions.

Tone & Ethics

• Reviews should be courteous, even when critical. Personal attacks or polemics will not be published.
• Conflicts of Interest must be disclosed (e.g., reviewing a mentor’s work or a book you’ve endorsed).
• DSJ welcomes constructive criticism, both positive and negative, as long as it is substantiated.

Formatting & Style

• Footnotes: Do not use footnotes. Cite page numbers in parentheses after quotations. If you are citing others (which we do accept when necessary), please include a list of sources at the end of your review.
• Names: Use full names on first mention.
• Citation Style: DSJ follows the Chicago Manual of Style, 17th edition.
• Reviewer Bio: At the end of your review, include a brief bio, such as: Ahmad Muhammad is an associate professor of history at Study University.

Final Notes

Carefully proofread your review. Too many errors may result in a request for revision. DSJ reserves the right to edit reviews for clarity and style, and to decline publication if needed.