How to Cite a Book in Chicago 17th Edition (Notes-Bibliography)

This guide explains how to format a book citation in Chicago 17th Edition (Notes-Bibliography). Follow the format template below, refer to the real example, and use the step-by-step instructions to build your citation correctly.

Format Template

The general pattern for citing a book in Chicago 17th Edition (Notes-Bibliography):

Template

Note: Author First Last, Title of Book (Place: Publisher, Year), page. Bibliography: Last, First. Title of Book. Place: Publisher, Year.

In-Text Citation Example

How the citation appears within the body of your paper:

In-text citation

1. Robert M. Sapolsky, Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst (New York: Penguin Books, 2017), 203.

Bibliography Entry Example

The full citation as it appears in your bibliography:

Bibliography entry

Sapolsky, Robert M. Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst. New York: Penguin Books, 2017.

Step-by-Step Guide

1
Format the author name
In notes: First Name Last Name. In bibliography: Last Name, First Name.
2
Write the book title
Italicize the title and subtitle. Use headline-style capitalization.
3
Add publication information
In notes, place the city, publisher, and year in parentheses: (City: Publisher, Year). In the bibliography, write them after a period: City: Publisher, Year.
4
Include page numbers in notes
In footnotes/endnotes, include the specific page(s) cited after the closing parenthesis.
5
Include DOI for electronic books
If accessed electronically, include the DOI or URL at the end of the entry.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Forgetting to include the place of publication (Chicago still requires it, unlike APA and MLA).
Not italicizing the book title.
Using the wrong name order in notes (should be First Last) vs. bibliography (Last, First).
Omitting the specific page number in the note.
Using a period instead of a comma after the publication information in a note.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Chicago style require the city of publication?

Yes. Unlike APA 7th and MLA 9th, Chicago Notes-Bibliography style still requires the place of publication for books.

How do I format a shortened note for a book?

Use the author's last name and a shortened version of the title: Sapolsky, Behave, 210. The shortened title should be italicized and brief enough to be recognizable.

How do I cite an e-book in Chicago style?

Cite it like a print book, but add the format or platform at the end if relevant. If the e-book has a DOI, include it. If accessed through a specific platform: "Kindle edition" or "Apple Books."

Information You Will Need

Before creating your citation, gather the following information from your book:

Author(s) or Editor(s)
Year of publication
Title
Edition (if not the first)
Publisher
DOI or URL (if electronic)

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Step-by-Step Guide

Format the author name

In notes: First Name Last Name. In bibliography: Last Name, First Name.

Write the book title

Italicize the title and subtitle. Use headline-style capitalization.

Add publication information

In notes, place the city, publisher, and year in parentheses: (City: Publisher, Year). In the bibliography, write them after a period: City: Publisher, Year.

Include page numbers in notes

In footnotes/endnotes, include the specific page(s) cited after the closing parenthesis.

Include DOI for electronic books

If accessed electronically, include the DOI or URL at the end of the entry.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Forgetting to include the place of publication (Chicago still requires it, unlike APA and MLA).

Not italicizing the book title.

Using the wrong name order in notes (should be First Last) vs. bibliography (Last, First).

Omitting the specific page number in the note.

Using a period instead of a comma after the publication information in a note.