Book excerpt: How to excel in your doctoral viva offers an accessible guide to approaching and preparing for a PhD viva examination. The book explains what the viva is, how the process works, and what the purpose of the viva is. It guides the reader through the course of preparing for their viva examination, with chapters focusing on organisation to dealing with viva concerns. Contributions from over 25 academics ranging from critical care to theology provide a unique insight into the experiences of PhD candidates and examiners, and make this book an invaluable resource for students completing PhDs across the sciences.