Indexing Biographies and Other Stories of Human Lives

Stories of human lives can befascinating but frequently difficult to index well. The new, updated fourthedition of Hazel K. Bell’s Indexing Biographies is a valuable guide tothe points for consideration when indexing life histories, biographies,autobiographies, letters and other narrative texts.

Topics include the indexing offiction, analysis of the text before indexing, names and their various forms,appropriate language choice for index entries, impartiality of the indexer, andhow to treat main characters (through appropriate subheading structure) andminor characters (where strings of locators are sometimes unavoidable).

The book also discusses moretechnical matters of index layout, presentation and arrangement of entries,such as how to judge whether alphabetical, chronological, page order orthematic grouping is most appropriate for the text.

Examples of good practice andoutstanding indexes are provided throughout. Lists of useful reference worksand relevant articles from The Indexer journal are also suggested. Thereis, of course, a comprehensive index.

Indexing Biographies contains fine advice on best indexing practicesfor book indexers, trainee indexers, authors, publishers and all lovers of lifehistories. It is an excellent overview of the complex, important and rewardingtask of indexing such material.