This slim little book is like having a favorite Aunt, pleased with your interest in family history, who takes you under her wing. Filled with pointers about searching out your family history this can easily travel in your purse (or with your laptop case) and be read quickly.
There are a few things that I would quibble with the author about. On page 66, while reminding you to call ahead to libraries, history rooms, etc., she writes, "And in the South, Robert E. Lee's birthday is still alive and well." What? Not a "holiday" in the part of the South we live in!
Also on page 84, she advises when hiring a genealogist you should share only the facts and not your guesses - she then implies it's okay to let a librarian, "whose services are free" run around trying to find information for your guesses. Hmmmm. Actually, you should do your best to give specifics on what you wish to find, then the librarian will be better equipped to provide you with resources for your research. If you want to run down guesses (and sometimes that's all you can do) just make sure you are doing the running around not someone "whose services are free".
Here's one of her tips on page 7: The very first thing anyone beginning a genealogy search should do is find out if anyone else has already researched the line! (Check with relatives). Good advice!
And there's plenty more like the inclusion of a pretty decent medical dictionary of ‘old terms’ once used.
Pick up this quick little read with the plain cover - beginners and those past the beginning stage will surely enjoy. ( )