Book review

A Practical Book Review is a way of responding to readings, lectures, and life experiences that requires the learner to interact with new ideas and techniques on several levels. Your PBR can be accomplished by thinking of four words: Summarize, Respond, Reflect, and Act. Use the following paragraphs and headings to complete your review.

SUMMARIZE! Give the current APA formatted reference of the book below the heading SUMMARIZE!. Summarize what you have read by boiling down the book into 500 tight words. Prove that you comprehend the material by writing a no-nonsense summary. SUMMARIZE! is not a commentary or a rehearsing of Petersen’s Table of Contents; rather, it is a gut-level, insightful “précis” of the longer, more elaborate book. It should provide a clear overview of the material. Keep this section to 500 words.

RESPOND! What parts of this book are about you? You will remember almost nothing you have read unless you make this critical, personal connection. Be transparent and get vulnerable with your answer! Relate a personal life episode that Petersen’s text triggered in your memory. What video memory began to roll? Relate your story in first person, describing action; quote exact words you remember hearing or saying and/or the non-verbals on display in the memory. What was going on with your internal conversation during the story? In the teaching style of Jesus, this is a do-it-yourself parable, case study, confession. Conversely, this is your chance to tell your story and make new ideas your own through a practical learning activity designed for you! Keep this section to 300 words.

REFLECT! What new questions or “ah ha” moments popped up for you after reading the book and listening to Dr. Petersen’s comments? In the margins of the book, journal and become a meaning-making specialist. Clarify statements made with your situation/context in mind. Use questions like: “What bothers me about this book?” or use statements like: “I am reticent to accept … because …” or “This technique will help me to….” Also, what insight(s), technique(s), word pictures(s), and tool(s) are you seeing for the first time? Keep this section to 300 words.

ACT! So what are you going to DO about it anyway? What actions or changes are you going to make in your life as a result of this information? What techniques do you need to incorporate to improve your relational style? What tools (questions, word pictures, techniques, etc.) will you use to help a friend or a counselee to get unstuck and move towards meaningful change/solution? Where will you place these tools within the structure of your counseling scenario? Be specific as to what techniques you will use from the Petersen text. Keep this section to 500 words.

NOTE: Your grade on this Review depends on the manner in which you address each of these 4 dimensions in graduate level fashion and according to the appropriate research writing guidelines of this class. A Table of Contents or Reference page is not needed since the design of a PBR provides the necessary information. However, a Cover Sheet or Title Page is needed. You must use the headings provided as your main headings and any sub-headers deemed necessary. If you are enrolled in a Counseling (COUN) or Human Services (HSER) course, follow current APA guidelines.