Q. How do I know if a book is a seminal work?

Seminal works, sometimes called pivotal or landmark studies, are works that initially presented an idea of great importance or influence within a particular discipline. Seminal works are referred to often in the research, so you are likely to see these sources frequently cited in other books, journal articles, dissertations, etc.

To determine if a book (or article) is seminal will rely on your own examination and synthesis of the scholarly literature. Typically, there will not be any labels placed on the literature (books, articles), identifying them as seminal. Rather, you will begin to see the same authors or whether they have been cited frequently and influenced other authors and their work. 

Books for example, are likely to identify prominent researchers in the field, describing key concepts and theories, or history and evolution of the field. Look for chapters on background or history or theories, although often times, these elements are integrated into other chapters. Also, refer to the references which may be included at the end of individual chapters, or at the end of the book