Someone who takes on the responsibility of family historian shouldn't be without this how-to book, loaded with useful advice. Not only does it review the equipment and approaches, you will need, it even gives you the questions you should ask. The author is an anthropologist who knows how to collect this type of personal information. In these days when families are spread out, the transfer of valuable information across generations is more difficult than it was in earlier times. Yet, this historical knowledge is recognized as a positive ingredient in anchoring human indentities and feelings. Of course, it is the old people in a family who are the source of much of this history, and the author is sensitive to the possibility that the interviewer, probably a younger family member, may not know the older person very well. He has planned for the subjects to be covered. Questions, questions, questions on every imaginable topic and sensible ones at that. The perfect gift for a budding historian.