Dissertations Made Manageable

How to Research and Write by a Prolific Author

By: Conrad Jones

Narrated by: Paul Holbrook

If you are taking an advanced educational course which includes a dissertation or research project of some kind then this practical guide will turn a mountain into a molehill. For many students this process can be a terrifying experience, especially if writing is not your forte. The author of this guide is a prolific writer and he uses his proven system for each novel. If you follow this plan then your dissertation will be panic free. This simple guide will provide a system of producing a dissertation with minimum stress and frustration. It covers such areas as choosing a subject, planning the project and how to research it. It is a guide written by a writing professional, published over a dozen times.

©2010 Conrad Jones (P)2014 Conrad Jones

great for the basics

The book provided explanation of key terms, transitional phrases, and major components of dissertation. Very useful in getting 25 to 30 percent of the dissertation complete.

Linking theory to practice

Loved the practical tips offered to listeners. Very through and "real world " practical advice .

Very Helpful

Would you listen to Dissertations Made Manageable again? Why?

I have listened to the audible book at least 8 times. The author's insight was very helpful. Because of the complexity of a dissertation project, it is not a book you will listen to only once. I am also using the book for writing my book. So it will not be the last time I listen to the book.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Simple and not overly complex. Good keys to being successful.

Did Paul Holbrook do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

N/A

What’s an idea from the book that you will remember?

The author offered to assist readers with personal assistance.

Terrible!!!

This clown starts off with admitting he’s never written a dissertation! Spends the first 20 mins bragging (in an annoying voice) how smart he is. Total waste of money and time.

Nothing of any real value or substance.

I honestly wonder if this was an AI-written book. It was oddly written, and the narration was a little choppy. I was hoping for more.

Somehow too vague AND too specific

This audiobook might be helpful for someone in social sciences or other fields, but it’s very general in its suggestions. It suggests things like “talk to your supervisor if you’re stuck” and “make a writing plan.” For people in the humanities like me, it’s almost irrelevant because the scope is way off and the organization is way different. The author, who admittedly hasn’t written a dissertation seems to not understand how different each style of dissertation is. Overall, this is a somewhat vague guide to writing a ~50-page work in social sciences or hard sciences.

Do not buy this book. The author has no idea what he’s doing.

The author openly admits he has never written a thesis or dissertation, and then he goes on to prove how little he knows about the subject, page after page. The book is full of falsehoods and misinformation about both the process and product. There are a few truths here and there that could be found on any webpage, and these lull the reader into accepting the whole text as a trustworthy guide. And that’s the danger of relying on this book. Graduate students need a definitive guide that won’t get them in trouble with their advisors or committees.

There are many good books out there written by professors with actual experience advising graduate students. This text is written by a self proclaimed “prolific writer” who has never actually done what he is trying to teach you to do.

My advice: Pass on this book.