Rating: 
Summary: Real-Life is the Key
Review: I found this book very helpful in dealing with such things as dealing with brokers, marketing efforts, written v. oral contracts -- as well as warning about typical problems. Having extensive quotes from real consultants was also very helpful. I recommend it highly.
Rating: 
Summary: OK, but not the best...
Review: I purchased this book in 1996 and it has withstood the test of time. A good reference on how to start your business and keep it going. I find that I turn to this book even now when I want a reminder on how to do something (like bid proposals) or something new (like growing my business beyond just me). Ruhl has compiled real world experience from many consultants (mostly on-line) and placed that information in a useful order (with a decent index). Well worth the purchase price, get it for your library!
Rating: 
Summary: Practical business advice for consultants
Review: Know when you can start consulting as a sustainable business. Receive a reasonable fee for your services. Be prepared for the pitfalls of operating your own business. Hear about success stories and business strategies from practicing computer consultants. Learn about starting your consulting business, marketing, contracts, client relationships, and income producing consulting activities. This book is practical and realistic. The author has a negative opinion of Big 5 accounting firms.
Rating:
Summary: Practical business advice for consultants
Review: Know when you can start consulting as a sustainable business. Receive a reasonable fee for your services. Be prepared for the pitfalls of operating your own business. Hear about success stories and business strategies from practicing computer consultants. Learn about starting your consulting business, marketing, contracts, client relationships, and income producing consulting activities. This book is practical and realistic. The author has a negative opinion of Big 5 accounting firms.
Rating:
Summary: Truly A Mixed Bag
Review: This book certainly has its pluses and minuses. The fact that it was published in 1997 makes it somewhat obsolete in some critical areas. None the less there is some solid advice given by the author. The first chapter defiens the many types of consultants fairly well. However, it does fail to mention much about the Networking Engineer, whcih is a critical part of today's busienss environment. The Meet The Consultants section is fairly user friendly. Earning potential is key but again you must interpret this in terms of 1997 dollars which is more inflated now. Also critical discussions regarding health insurance and marketing are explored here. Some good advice is given here at the beginning. A little bit overdone in other spots as a person exploring the industry will become overwhelmed. So many of these aspects are situational. The brokering part is presented in such a dry format that its hard to read after 30-40 pages. The glossary might be of help for those who want to explore more information. However, a new version is definitely in order to bring this book current.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent for new / prospective computer consultants.
Review: This book is excellent for new or prospective computer consultants. Ignore a lot of the negatives in an early chapter -- unless you haven't thought of any of them yourself. Nearly worth its weight in gold. Not that it is the best book you'll ever read but that it will save / make you that much money from reading it.
Rating:
Summary: Okay, but she has a better one out.
Review: This book is good for a general understanting of the consulting field. And I do recommend it, but if you are serious about consulting/contracting, you should supplement with two other books: "Janet Ruhl's Answers for Computer Contractors: How to Get the Highest Rates and the Fairest Deals from Consulting Firms, Agencies, and Clients" and if you are just starting in the programming field and want to learn exactly what you need to do and do it fast, then read: "The Secret Path to Contract Programming Riches..." Good luck to your career! ;)
Rating:
Summary: Great introduction to consulting.
Review: This book provides a thorough overview of the computer consulting industry and a good sense of the day-to-day business tasks associated with maintaining a consulting career. If you are an absolute rookie in the computer field and have little idea of the consulting options available to you, your perspective may widen a bit and you might find yourself having more questions than you did before you started reading this book, which is a good thing. So, you will probably want to supplement your research a bit more once you have narrowed down your consulting career choices. But, if you are already in the computer field, this book has about all the information you will need to base a career-changing decision on. There are plenty of resources listed to help further your knowledge on the consulting field. If you have the time, you might want to take a look at the author's subsequent book, "Janet Ruhl's Answers for Computer Contractors", which can be a very good supplement to this book. ~ Michael Nigohosian, author - "The Secret Path to Contract Programming Riches"
Rating:
Summary: New to consulting? Don't leave this page w/o ordering this.
Review: This book reflects the input of hundreds of other consultants and contractors around the world. If you use just one of any of the recommendations in this book you will earn back many times it's cost. If you work through brokers or other agents, it's very likely that this book will save you thousands of dollars on your next contract. Ever wonder what all those contract clauses mean to your bottom line? Janet will show you. Ever wonder if you really need a formal contract? Ever question your broker's motives? Ever worry that you might be reclassified as an employee by the IRS? Janet will help you with just about every curveball they can throw. This work also includes a good sample contract that protects your interest. You still need a lawyer for each instance, but you can now go to the negotiating table much more informed, in a much more powerful position. It's worth it to pick up Janet's other works, too.
Rating:
Summary: New to consulting? Don't leave this page w/o ordering this.
Review: This book reflects the input of hundreds of other consultants and contractors around the world. If you use just one of any of the recommendations in this book you will earn back many times it's cost. If you work through brokers or other agents, it's very likely that this book will save you thousands of dollars on your next contract. Ever wonder what all those contract clauses mean to your bottom line? Janet will show you. Ever wonder if you really need a formal contract? Ever question your broker's motives? Ever worry that you might be reclassified as an employee by the IRS? Janet will help you with just about every curveball they can throw. This work also includes a good sample contract that protects your interest. You still need a lawyer for each instance, but you can now go to the negotiating table much more informed, in a much more powerful position. It's worth it to pick up Janet's other works, too.
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