The joy of search A Google insider's guide to going beyond the basics

This lively, stimulating, and informative volume guides readers on an adventure in online query and information retrieval through seventeen case studies, ranging from unearthing the location of an unnamed photograph to discovering why lakes in Africa explode. The text is written to appeal to the seasoned searcher as well as the novice. An expert in search technology (and Senior Research Scientist for Search Quality and User Happiness at Google), Russell describes specific steps, tactics, and strategies that can lead everyday researchers to useful, believable information. As Russell convincingly argues, forming and understanding a question by first writing it down, and only then constructing a search query, is key to doing effective research. To demonstrate the important part played by information triage in obtaining useful search results, Russell offers step-by-step stories that include research lessons, "how to do it" recommendations, and "try this yourself" suggestions, all lavishly illustrated with color screen shots. Chapters focusing on becoming a great searcher and the long-term future of online searching (and related skills) round out the book. And yes, sometimes you may have to track down a print resource in a library, but Russell explains that too. Summing Up: Recommended. All readers. --Sharon G. Almquist, Veritas Classical Academy

Since 2010, Russell, Senior Research Scientist for Search Quality and User Happiness at Google, has used his blog SearchReSearch to teach online searching skills and demonstrate how to use Google more effectively. The book is a collection of SearchReSearch posts, with each chapter tackling a different research-worthy question generated from Russell's own life and internet wanderings. Starting with an initial inquiry (Do lakes in Africa sometimes explode? What does heavens to murgatroyd even mean?), Russell illustrates the steps and bunny trails he makes along the way, using screenshots and his actual search terms to guide the reader to a satisfying answer. He concludes each chapter with several helpful lessons and tools related to his research journey, whether it's Google Street View, the site: operator, or Google Books' search in this book function. Illuminating and gloriously wide ranging, the book leverages Russell's expertise to create a practical resource for power searchers and rookie Googlers alike that's also a pleasure to read. Though, given the sheer immensity of information Russell wades through, it's best taken a chapter at a time.--Chad Comello Copyright 2010 Booklist