287Further reading
M
any people have written useful or inspiring things about authoring
in professional contexts and about being creative about research.
But these ideas are mainly small snippets in works on diverse topics.
Tracking down these bits and pieces was worthwhile for me, and the
sources involved are shown in the Notes (starting on p. 277). But I would
rate only a few of these works as worthwhile for readers to follow up.
I give a couple of lines of commentary to explain or qualify all my
recommendations, because each book is likely to be helpful for only
a specific kind of reader.
General writings relevant for intellectual work
S. and K. Baker, The Idiot’s Guide to Project Management(Indianapolis:
Macmillan, 2000), second edition. A clear and self-deprecating guide
to planning a large-scale piece of work, full of useful reflections but
not specific to doctoral projects.
Howard S. Becker, Writing for Social Scientists(Chicago: University of
Chicago Press, 1986). A very sympathetic discussion of the difficul-
ties of writing and going public with your material. A ‘must read’ for
strong-willed social scientists doing more literary research, but
perhaps not for those who already feel lacking in confidence?
Howard S. Becker, Tricks of the Trade: How to Think about Your Research
While You’re Doing It(Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1998).
Not much on authoring here, but Becker offers social scientists help-
ful ideas on formulating problems and thinking through appropriate
research methods and solutions.
Alain de Botton, The Consolations of Philosophy(London: Penguin,
2000). A beautifully written example of authoring, focusing on five
philosophers through the ages who have a great deal of relevance for