Mastering these skills spells the difference between "A.B.D." and "Ph.D." -refuting the magnum opus myth-coping with the dissertation as obsession (magnificent or otherwise)-the fine art of selecting a topic-writing the dissertation with publication in mind-when to stand your ground and when to prudently retreat if the committee's conception of your thesis differs substantially from your own-dealing with obstructive committee members, and keeping the fences mended-how to reconsider "negative" findings as useful data-reviewing your progress, and getting out of the "dissertation dumps"-defending your paper successfully-distinguishing between mere formalities and a serious substantive challenge-exploiting the career potential of your dissertation-and much, much more