Reviews
A very rigorous and thorough (perhaps too thorough?) book of tips and strategies on preparing for and managing thesis writing, and other sorts of academically-demanding writing. Eco spends copious pages discussing documenting bibliographies and note-taking, which are helpful, even though it leaves an impression of the whole enterprise as intimidatingly pedantic. I'd recommend it for prospective students, though this book should be read much earlier, prior to having undertaken the writing process, when there is still time to prepare and organise, and his notes on these areas are among the most helpful sections in the book. I especially liked how he returns time and again to the value of the writing process and the rigours of cataloguing, and how this underpins the advice given; such a reflection gives purpose to what would otherwise be a laborious rite of passage.
