A System for Writing: How an Unconventional Approach to Note-Making Can Help You Capture Ideas, Think Wildly, and Write Constantly - A Zettelkasten Primer Paperback – July 9, 2024

Bob Doto offers a clear, accessible guide to the zettelkasten note-taking method. As a participant in a Build A Second Brain cohort facilitated by Doto, I witnessed firsthand his deep understanding of the subject.The book's strength lies in Doto's ability to simplify complex concepts, reminiscent of Richard Feynman's renowned teaching approach. For instance, he breaks down the core principles of zettelkasten into easily digestible sections, each accompanied by practical examples. This structure helped me grasp the method's essence, which had previously eluded me despite multiple attempts.Doto's writing style is engaging and free of unnecessary jargon, making the learning process enjoyable. He effectively demonstrates how to "see the signal through the noise" in information management, a skill crucial for effective zettelkasten implementation.For anyone feeling overwhelmed or confused by zettelkasten, this book is an invaluable resource. It provides a solid foundation for beginners and offers clarity for those who've struggled with the method. I highly recommend to anyone looking to improve their note-taking and knowledge management skills.

This is the best book I've found so far about how to actually use a Zettelkasten. It's short, easy-to-read, and to the point. It's much more explicit about how to actually write notes and gives a lot of good examples to make it clear.After reading other books, like "How to Take Smart Notes" by Sonke Ahrens and "Duly Noted" by Jorge Arango, I've always been interested in using Zettelkasten, but have always felt like there were parts of the actual process that I wasn't sure about in practical terms. This book just tells you how to do it, which I think is a good place to start and then modify to fit yourself over time.This book doesn't go into very much depth on the theory behind Zettelkasten, so it's still important to read those other books, but I think it's a good book to pair with those. If someone wanted to get started with Zettelkasten, I'd first tell them to read the Ahrens book and then this one.

I've got to say, this book is a relief. I've read many books on note-making and zettelkasten, plus taken programs, and each seemed to make it more confusing. I really needed a guide to distill it into the most important pieces, with an emphasis on getting the whole thing to work. That's what this book is.Doto (I've done his courses, but don't know him directly) has spent hours mastering this practice, and also learning how to apply it in others' writing systems. He's also spent lots of time in discussions and studying approaches from Luhmann, Ahrens, plus mentoring several hundred people in programs. So it's not just theory – it's practical advice from someone who's seen what works, and knows how to explain it well.

Kind of a meh? book. Not much new, nothing groundbreaking. Better to read, say, Stephen King "On Writing".

I found Doto’s work an excellent compliment to that of Sönke Ahrens’ tome, How to Take Smart Notes: One Simple Technique to Boost Writing, Learning and Thinking - for Students, Academics and Nonfiction Book Writers. Doto’s work is more applied and practical than the seminal work of Ahrens’.I am in the process of conceptualising my own analog Zettelkasten, and Doto’s work is a roadmap for this. In fact, I am now thinking about how I might use both a digital and analog system after reading this book. I especially appreciated the action oriented summary tasks at the end of the chapters. The writing is engaging and focused, and I found it quite enjoyable and informative.Well done!

Very elaborate explanation of the slip box method.

Used in conjunction with other books on Zettelkasten, Bob Doto provides interesting adaptations and tips for improving focus for producing creative output.

I've spent a few years in a couple of the same online communities as Bob Doto and followed his short-form writing for the past two. Through observing his interactions and responses to others I've come to respect him as a thoughtful, humble, and well-spoken teacher. He brings knowledge, experience, and a playful humor - when it serves - to the conversations and his pieces.His thorough study of and intential approach to the source material expresses honor and a desire to faithfully make sense of the zettelkasten process. I haven't finished it yet, but I eagerly await my next reading session. I believe this book will clarify and simplify my writing system and process.I fully expect this read will prove to be as invaluable to me as Ahrens' How to Take Smart Notes.