Compelling picture of graduate school life... highlights important factors that contribute to student persistence and success. DiverseEducation.com 2006 The book is impressive for not merely telling you what doctoral students are thinking... but in relating what they are thinking to how they are doing-mentally, financially, socially and professionally. University Affairs 2006 Quite possibly, Nettles and Millet have produced what will quickly become a seminal piece of scholarship regarding the Ph.D. Teachers College Record 2006 The first major study of doctoral education since In Pursuit of the PhD (1992)... the magnitude of this accomplishment cannot be overstated. Harvard Educational Review 2006 This book undoubtedly makes an important contribution to the research literature on doctoral education... It breaks important new ground. -- Chris Golde Review of Higher Education 2006 An unprecedented look at how students race, walk, or crawl to the finish line. -- Scott Jaschik Inside Higher Ed 2006 This informative, comprehensive, and enjoyable book goes far beyond the initial question about funding to examine essentially all aspects of the doctoral experience. -- Kelly Ward; Susan K. Gardner Journal of Higher Education 2008 Impressive... Will undoubtedly contribute to debates over how to improve doctoral education both in the UK and US, and indeed other countries. -- Ingrid Lunt Educational Review 2008