Author was sysop for Compuserve CONSULT forum for several years -- comprehensive treatment of all issues and good range across types of consulting, billing systems, etc -- observation made that few consultants stay as such over a full career but tend to switch back and forth (partially for the variety and partially to re-energize with new skills) -- litmus test questions include whether one likes first two weeks job better or time after that, enjoy interviews, like to develop systems and thrive or don't care about the credit -- the single most important trait is to appear calm and professional even when everything is NOT ok -- all in all a good overview and worth reading for someone at the decision point.