Customer Reviews

The Indexing Companion

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While there is useful information in this book for anyone interested in indexing, the prospective buyer should be aware that it has mostly to do with indexing in Australia. There are only 7 pages in the entire book that even mention the *Chicago Manual of Style*.

Jon and Glenda have written a very useful, informative book that covers the state of indexing as it exists today. In addition to basic technique, they cover international standards, including some lesser-known standards, such as Dublin Core and OAI-PMH. Their coverage of indexing software is useful, especially the portions that deal with PDF files. They offer useful tips throughout the book, for example, on pg 39 with respect to estimating index length and the fact that it's easier to remove things than to add them; also, pg 45 on the topic of repagination, where one is advised to start with the bigger numbers lest some of the new numbers become identical to old ones. I enjoyed the many sayings scattered throughout the book, as on pg 44 where it's noted that working with PDFs and walking on water are easy if both are frozen. Moreover, you can bet your sweet jar of Vegemite, it's well-indexed. Thank you Jon and Glenda! Good job!

This practical book belongs on every indexer's desk. It's got lots of examples and draws on the extensive experience of the authors and on the wisdom of many writers about indexing. I find it very helpful in my day to day indexing work, and it's very readable. It takes a comprehensive look at indexing, and includes information on book indexing, collection indexing, different content formats and specialised source material. There's information on term selection, quality control, controlled vocabularies, standards, software and hardware, and observations on threats and opportunities for indexers. The authors are Australian but they demonstrate an international perspective. The printed index is thorough and easy to use, and was rated `Highly Commended' in the 2008 ANZSI Indexing Awards. See also the favourable review in The Indexer, vol 25: 214-15.

"The Indexing Companion" is a great resource for the intermediate indexing student, especially when used in tandem with the "Indexing Companion Workbook." Most American indexing students start out with using the texts, "Indexing Books" by Nancy Mulvany and the indexing section of the "Chicago Manual of Style." Once the student has digested the information in those two guides, "The Indexing Companion" is a fabulous third source. The book is aimed at the Australian market, but that does not in the least mean that the information is not applicable to indexing students of all countries, as most of the tips and techniques discussed apply to indexing in general. "The Indexing Companion" and its workbook are definitely worth your time and investment.

As an professional indexer and trainer, I have found this book to be the most useful reference in my indexing library. Worth every penny. Students of indexing would benefit from the companion workbook to this text, available at[...]. I appreciate the author's practical focus on both information management (indexing) and users. In a rapidly changing publishing environment, the chapters on non-book indexing are particularly helpful. International standards are also covered, which is especially valuable for US indexers, to which the Chicago Manual of Style is often the de facto standard.