The fifth edition of this popular guide to indexing is an effective update of the previous 2008 version, incorporating references to recent literature in the field and accounts of the latest software developments. The book is clearly written and aimed primarily at the novice indexer. The initial chapters cover the various steps involved in creating an index, and focus on book indexes. Nevertheless, there are also chapters on indexing for periodicals (both individually and collectively) and electronic documents, including e-books and websites.
The book includes plenty of examples and several case studies (e.g. of developing a specific newspaper index). The alphabetical and classified bibliographies are a particular strength, as is the first chapter on professional development options for indexers. For a more in-depth book on indexing, one might consult, for example, Glenda Browne and Jon Jermey’s The Indexing Companion (Cambridge University Press, 2007). By way of an introduction, however, Fetters’ book remains an excellent choice.
