U.S. History Book Review Project: Author Credentials

Knowing the author’s background is important in deciding how reliable or biased a book might be.

• Has the author written on this topic before?
• Does his or her background indicate expertise or bias?
• What is his or her educational and employment background?

Look in the book

Often within the book there is an “about the author” page, usually at the end of the book. If the book has a paper jacket, this information is often on the flap in the back of the book. Sometimes it’s on the back cover. Sometimes the library has pasted it on the inside back cover.

Library sources

 These sources are library databases. If you're off campus, your ACC eID will allow access.

Contemporary Authors – online database with information on thousands of authors.

Dictionary of Literary Biography- online database covering thousands of authors. Results may be short biographies or articles from periodicals.

Look them up on the web. Beware of unreliable or out of date information.

 Ask a librarian! There are dozens of other sources that might be useful. And there are many different ways you can contact the librarian. See the box to the right.

Librarians are glad to help you.

In person: Click here to see the locations and hours of all the ACC Libraries.

By phone:

CYP - 512 223-2037
EGN - 512 223-9435
EVC - 512 223-5116
PIN -  512 223-8150
NRG - 512 223-4744
RGC - 223-3068
RRC - 512 223-0105
RVS - 512 223-6005
SAC - 512 223-9181

By email:library@austincc.edu

By live chat