wrote:
Barry,

You might want to give Philip Greenspun's essay/article on obtaining an
insturment rating a read.

http://tinyurl.co.uk/vd9i

Phil is a MIT professor and a CFII. The IFR summay covers course
selection based on his personal experience as well as additonal reading
suggestions. I'll second the "Weather Flying" by Robert Buck
recomendation (reading that now).

You may also want to post to rec.aviation.ifr to get some perspective
from the been-there-done-that crowd.

Hope that helps. Let us know which way you go.

Appreciated!