Playing the Game: The Streetsmart Guide to Graduate School

Rating:
Summary: Useful AND Entertaining
Review: Very funny and useful book - if the reader has that dark/edgy sense of humor (think Simpsons, Ali G, Spinal Tap, Beavis and Butt-Head, etc.). Although it's funny, it explains a lot of often confusing aspects of grad school in easy-to-read/entertaining ways. Is it offensive? - it can be to people whose sense of humor is limited to the kind of jokes one would tell in church. Mostly it's just a light read that'll leave you cracking up while providing a lot of useful "streetsmart" information. It's identified on the website (www.playing-the-game.com) as "controversial," and it is. (but, that's what makes it cool) I highly reccomend this book!

Rating:
Summary: Strong Reference With a Sense of Humor
Review: Well written, this book entertains readers while it enlightens. In my humble opinion, readability and realism are valued factors. This tongue in cheek parody may be maligned by those who cannot laugh at themselves, but it could very well be the next "bible" of graduate school. Don't go to grad school without it. It is money well spent.

Rating:
Summary: Higher Education More Than Classes
Review: When I first come to the US last year, graduate life is very confused for me. I do not really know about graduate school, and don't feel very good. I am a hard worker, but do not understand the culture of this country or culture of life at the University. I see professors too busy to care about students and don't know what to do. I buy this book, and this book now gives me a very clear picture of graduate school culture with American culture. Everything is just like what the book describes. I am on the right track and am progressing faster now.