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There are several databases and indexes to find reviews of a particular book, depending on:
Finding a review of a specific history book may prove to be a piece of cake, or more time-consuming with having to look in several databases or indexes, because not every book is reviewed. General interest books are more likely to be reviewed in general interest periodicals, like newspapers or magazines, while scholarly works are more likely to be reviewed in history journals. Also, it may take a while for scholarly reviews to be published. Generally they aren't reviewed until at least a year after the book was published.
Each of our databases and print indexes has a different scope of the number and type of periodicals (journals, magazines and newspapers) covered, as well as date range. The sources are arranged by the type of book reviews and publication dates you’ll find within the source.
Type of Periodical & Publication Date of Book
I want to find scholarly book reviews from major history journals (American Historical Review, Journal of American History, Journal of Modern History, etc.), and my book was published at least six years ago.
Use JSTOR.
I want to do a comprehensive search for scholarly book reviews from history journals, and my book was published after 1975.
Use America: History and Life, Historical Abstracts or both at the same time.
My book was published between 1903 and 1982, and I want to find reviews from popular newspapers and magazines, and/or a few of the major history journals (American Historical Review, Current History, English Historical Review and Journal of American History).
Use Book Review Digest Retrospective (1903-1982).
I want to find reviews from popular newspapers and magazines and scholarly journals, and my book was published after 2000.
Try these all-subjects online databases:
Academic Search Complete – best for scholarly journals