The Art of Indexing

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Summary: Obscure examples cloud picture
Review: I had no experience in indexing and so did learn a lot from this book. However, for the most part I found it confusing. I was especially disappointed that he used unfamiliar topics for his examples, making it impossible to relate them to the point he was trying to make or to my own work.

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Summary: Outstanding Book!
Review: I had often edited existing indexes, but when I was faced with my first requirement to index a technical manual from scratch, I purchased this book based on recommendations from other tech writers. It is outstanding - really helped me identify the major aspects of indexing. I found it very compatible with Adobe FrameMaker and the indexing software called IXgen, ............................... With this book and IXgen, I created a totally awesome index for a complex technical manual and my client loved it (as did his customers)! One of the nice features of this book is that it is organized very effectively. It took me only a few hours to read through it the first time, just to get started on my index. After I made the first pass on my index, I re-read the book and picked up the finer points that I had missed (or didn't appreciate) the first time.

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Summary: Concise Indexing Reference
Review: I ordered the book because I needed a reference for developing an index for online help. When I received the book, I was astonished at the size. I was expecting a hefy book. After taking a look, I discovered that it is so well-written that there is absolutely nothing unnecessary in it. It makes good use of headings and provides examples. Also, I liked the sections that helped the writer focus on how to anticipate what questions the user might have.

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Summary: This book will make you an expert.
Review: I took indexing for granted because I had writers who created wonderful indexes. Then I had to create some myself. This was not so wonderful.

Larry's book covers the fundamentals of indexing and the pitfalls to avoid indexes that aren't worth the time. He also defines 'achieving completeness' by detailing the key components of: exhaustiveness, precision, faithfullness to the wording of the text, and usability. And for advanced indexers, he includes the Wheatley Medal criteria...something that will help us novices, too.

Larry also spends time taking the mystery out how to assemble the index. He explores all the methods and speaks to their positives and negatives.

Larry's material is excellent, exhaustive, and concise...it's user-friendly. I especially appreciated the sample indexing style guide. Hooray for consistency!

Thanks, Larry. You're an answer to prayer.

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Summary: If you only buy one book on indexing, this should be it.
Review: In comparing it to other indexing books, this one is clearly written. Indexing, according to Bonura, is for an orderly mind. His mind is orderly, and it shows in how the book is written. Other indexing books are not so "orderly." Fantastic!

Rating:
Summary: A very disappointing book
Review: Sorry dear readers, but this book is poorly written, shallow in its treatment of the subject, and often factually inaccurate.

The mostly bullet-point and numbered-list style does not lend itself to sufficient examples and explanations, and the grammar errors will absolutely drive you to distraction if you're a good writer.

Here's a sample of some of Bonura's tangled writing from page 78: "While 'see' references are usually italicized when used in indexes, the only time they are usually not italicized is when used in a cross-reference that is also italicized." Got that?

If you only buy one book on this subject, choose from among these three: (1) Nancy Mulvany's "Indexing Books," (2) Hans Wellisch's "Indexing from A to Z," or (3) the chapter on indexes from "The Chicago Manual of Style." All three are available from Amazon.com.

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Summary: Four Dollars More Gets You Chicago
Review: The "Reprint permissions" (p. xii) indicate excerpts from the Chicago Manual of Style in ch. 2, 14 and 21 of Bonura's very short primer. For less than five dollars more, you can get all of the Chicago Manual of Style + its extensive chapter 17 on indexing--what a deal! Bonura's "real-world examples" to managing an index (pp.123-125) are unclear--it's hard to see what he is trying to illustrate. Sorry, the 'art' of indexing is just too much 'marketing' for the price.