Tools of the mind: Techniques and methods for intellectual work

Surely V. Stibic has set out to write the ultimate “how to” book, answering the need of otherwise well-educated people for “advice on how to work efficiently, how to organize their work, how to read, listen and study, how to gather, store and organize information, or how to use modern technical means to save time and effort and to improve their own productivity.” The prospect is certainly attractive, and the goal is lofty. Tools of the Mind “aims to give an overview of the heterogeneous activities of a professional over a spectrum broader than that of his narrow specialist field, and of the wide assortment of available technical means and methods. It tries to characterize their principles, features, possible applications, advantages, weak points, limits and dangers, and offers suggestions and recommendations that make the individual choice easier.” Is it successful? To a point, yes.