Mind Mapping is a powerful technique and there have been plenty of books written about it, but Chuck Frey's e-book concentrates on a largely overlooked, but influential aspect of mind mapping - the powerful software tools that have sprung up around Tony Buzan's take on concept mapping.

Don't be put off by the "learn how to sell your grandmother in fifteen easy steps" cover - inside it's a very effective guide to the business of mind mapping with software. The book sets out by outlining a range of applications that even the most dedicated mind map user may not have considered before, from SWOT analysis to process management.

Frey then goes on to give useful tips on everything from effective use of symbols to adjusting layout. The useful material continues with "advanced mind mapping strategies" - mostly about the context and framework around the individual mindmaps - and finishes with a handy list of mind mapping resources.

Whether you like using mind maps and are wondering about moving to software, or you're an experienced package user but want to make more of it, you'll find something here.

There are a couple of slight worries. Because the book is about software, rather than mind maps per se, you sometimes wonder if it's an appropriate application. For instance, Frey mentions note taking as one of the applications. Hand drawn mind maps are great for note taking, but on the whole software takes too much of the focus - I really wouldn't recommend using software as a way of taking notes in meetings.

Then there's the document itself. It's perhaps a little over-the-top to call this an e-book - it's more what Amazon calls an e-Doc. With just 42 pages it would make for a decidedly thin book. And conversely, the price may be a bit of a shock. At $49.95, this is not aimed at the mass market, which is a shame as a lot of mind mapping software users could benefit from it.