This valuable book provides perceptive insight into the structure, content range, rhetorical norms, and recurring textual features that typify the academic-supporting genre of recommendation letters. It admirably addresses the needs and expectations of its specialized audience as well as the varied contexts for reading and writing reference letters by balancing extensive empirically based scholarship with welcome practical guidance and activities. Its clear and compelling structure and style will benefit faculty who have been reading and writing recommendation letters for years as well as those wishing to learn or to teach others to do so effectively. -- Hans Gabriel, Michael and Amy Tiemann Distinguished Professor of the Division of Liberal Arts, University of North Carolina School of the Arts Albakry and Bryans Writing Recommendation Letters: The Discourse of Evaluation in Academic Settings is both a comprehensive analysis of academic letters of recommendation and useful handbook for the professional or faculty member who is asked to provide such a letter. It is an excellent source of practical advice in an area that is rarely taught. -- Vincent Moore, Ph.D., Professor of English & Humanities, School of Creative & Media Arts, Tiffin University, Tiffin, OH