Book review policies

The Thomist is committed to publishing high quality reviews of new scholarly monographs that fall within the journal’s stated scope. The Thomist is happy to receive review copies, catalogues, and direct inquiries from publishers. Review copies should be mailed to The Thomist, attn. Book Review Editor (487 Michigan Ave. NE, Washington DC 20017). New publications may be brought to the journal’s attention by contacting the book review editor directly at bookreviews@thomist.org.

Book reviews that appear in The Thomist represent original work that has not been published elsewhere in any form. The Thomist does not accept unsolicited reviews. All reviews published by The Thomist are commissioned by the journal directly. In this process, the journal works to ensure that reviews are impartial, and that conflicts of interest (actual and perceived) are avoided. The Thomist solicits reviews from scholars who hold an earned doctorate (PhD or equivalent) and who possess sufficient academic standing and relevant expertise to review newly published academic work in their respective field as a scholarly peer. Scholars who would like to review for The Thomist may send a copy of their CV to the Book Review Editor at bookreviews@thomist.org, to be kept on file for future reference.

Book reviews for The Thomist are between 1,500 to 2,000 words long, and are normally published in the journal no longer than three years after the initial publication of the book in question. On occasion, The Thomist also publishes more substantial review essays that are between 4,500-7,000 words in length.

In accordance with the journal’s stated scope, book reviews that appear in The Thomist aim to “promote original and penetrating inquiry into the full range of contemporary philosophical and theological questions,” working in the spirit and tradition of Thomas Aquinas. To this end, The Thomist is principally interested in original scholarly monographs that represent this form of inquiry; the journal seeks to commission reviews that identify and engage the significance and originality of such books for a scholarly audience. When edited volumes are reviewed, attention is paid to the originality and cohesion of the volume, and its relation to the journal’s scope. Collections of previously published material, textbooks, and translations are not frequently reviewed.