This is a slim book, but it contains a wealth of information. The author, a veteran science writer, tells us pretty much everything we need to know about her demanding field. She discusses finding the story you want to tell, conducting the research, and developing the story structure, and she breaks each down into its component parts. In the chapter titled "Research and Interview," for example, she discusses the proper use of press releases; how to choose your interview subjects (and even what time of day is best to conduct an interview); and the importance of being able to spot when information from one source conflicts with information from another source. Smartly written and constructed, the book is absolutely essential to someone looking to enter this very tough, competitive field.