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AJPA Book & Resource Reviews

American Journal of Physical Anthropology (AJPA)

Book & Resource Review Editor

Bridget FB Algee-Hewitt, PhD
Center for Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity
450 Serra Mall, Building 360
Stanford University, Main Quad
Stanford, CA 94305
bridgeta [at] stanford.edu (bridgeta[at]stanford[dot]edu)
Office | 650.723.6688

The American Journal of Physical Anthropology invites readers to publish critical reviews of scholarly books and resources that are relevant to research and teaching and of immediate interest to experts in Biological Anthropology and complementary fields. Review materials may include edited volumes, and textbooks; software, scripts/code/algorithms, and computer programs; data sets, data banks, and archives; websites and online resources; museum exhibits, study collections, and sample repositories. The focus of review materials reflects current and emerging trends in the field, introduces AJPA readership to newly developed or released resources, and/or provides information on preexisting materials that remain of considerable value and may not be familiar to the community at large. Reviewers are typically solicited by the AJPA Book and Resource Review Editor (BRRE) on the basis of expertise, however, AJPA welcomes credentialed volunteers. Publishers (et al.) may request the review of a given book/resource by contacting the BRRE.

As thoughtfully written reviews represent an important source of information for research and teaching, you are providing an invaluable service to AJPA, our Biological Anthropology colleagues, and the Anthropological community at large. AJPA relies on your adherence to the review policies and parameters, as well as your punctuality in submission, to ensure the steady supply of the scholarly output critical to the publication process. Unless other arrangements have been made with the Book and Resource Review Editor, your review is limited to 1000 words and is due in two months.

An optimal review underscores the book’s/resource’s major theme, subjects, and utility. More specifically, it can make connections to other published works, draw comparisons among contributions – e.g., essential for edited volumes, and relate the book/resource to current research in the most relevant anthropological subdisciplines or complementary fields. Importantly, it should express the reviewer’s honest opinion on the value of the book’s/resource’s contribution to current research and teaching in Biological Anthropology and, if appropriate, beyond. The reviewer may structure the text as they prefer, however, the most readable reviews typically include: 1) a summary of the subject and major themes or arguments, 2) a judgment of the quality of its scholarship and data, and 3) an assessment of the  intended audience and potential uses. Comments on production values, illustrations, and price are appropriate when these factors significantly add to or detract from the book or resource’s impact. Exhaustive chapter-by-chapter summaries or simple descriptions should be avoided. The review can be easily submitted by logging onto the ScholarOne website. There, you will have the option to select “Book Review” or “Resource Review” under “type.”

Book Review Requests

If you would like to review a book, or you would like a book reviewed, for the American Journal of Physical Anthropology,

please send your request by bridgeta [at] stanford.edu (email) to the Book Review Editor,  Dr. Bridget Algee-Hewitt.

Book Review Policies
  • Prospective reviewers must hold a doctorate or equivalent degree.
  • Decisions concerning allocation of books for review are made at the discretion of the Book Review Editor.
  • Preference in assignment of reviews will be given to members in good membership standing with the AAPA.
  • Selected reviewers may not add additional authors without the prior approval of the Book Review Editor.
  • All contributions are subject to editorial review; reviews not meeting AJPA standards will not be accepted.
  • If you accept to review a book and do not complete said review by the due date, you are required to return the book in pristine condition so that other arrangements can be made for its timely review.
Book Review Preparation

Upon receipt of the book to be reviewed, please conact the Book Review Editor bybridgeta [at] stanford.edu ( email) to confirm its arrival.

  • Formatting

Download the review template corresponding to the book’s format (monograph or edited volume) and edit the book and reviewer information.  Prepare the review body according to the template’s instructions and the online AJPA Authors Guidelines.  Please do not alter the template, e.g., margins, font.

  • Length

Standard review length is 1000 words.  The 1000-word limit may be waived for long or complicated volumes. Any deviations must be approved by the Book Review Editor prior to submission and, preferably, before the review has begun.

  • Content

Review structure is flexible so long as it is consistent with the preparation instructions. Reviews typically include: 1) a summary of the book’s subject and major themes or arguments, 2) a judgment of the quality of its scholarship and data, and 3) an assessment of the book’s intended audience and potential uses. Comments on production values, illustrations, and price are appropriate only where these significantly add to or distract from the book’s impact. Exhaustive, chapter-by-chapter descriptions, while informative, do not make for interesting reading and should be avoided. The best reviews draw out a book’s major themes, make connections and comparisons among contributions (for edited volumes), relate the book to current research in relevant anthropological subdisciplines, and express the reviewer’s honest opinion of the book as a whole.

  • Quotations

Provide page numbers for all quotations and note whether emphases within quotations are yours or those of the author(s).

  • References

References are to be avoided.  Exceptions must be approved by the Book Review Editor prior to submission.  Approved references should be formatted as extended in-text citations, as if for an abstract; reference lists are not permitted.

  • Submission

Submit reviews via Scholar One Manuscript Central. Under “type” please select “Book Review.” Please notify the Book Review Editor by bridgeta [at] stanford.edu (email) when your review has been submitted.

  • Deadlines

AJPA relies upon reviewer punctuality to ensure the steady supply of reviews critical to the publication process.  Unless prior arrangements have been made, reviews are due two months from the book’s receipt.

  • Editing

The Book Review Editor will copy-edit the text and make minor revisions before forwarding the review to the Editor-in-Chief and Wiley.  Substantive revisions and factual queries will be discussed with the reviewer before submission.

  • Proofs

Electronic page proofs will be sent directly to the reviewer.