How a historian assesses a disappointing book

What does a historian do with a book that turns out to be poor?

Keep it if its sources, information, or arguable claims remain useful; otherwise pass it to another reader who may value it.

A disappointing book is first assessed for a strong source list and useful information. Valuable evidence can preserve it as a research tool even when the analysis is unconvincing. A poorly argued statement can also serve as a productive claim for students to test and challenge. Only a book that offers neither evidence nor teaching value is passed on, usually through a university book-exchange box rather than discarded.