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Publishers to blame for increasing cost of college text books.

Undergrad Life

By jvano
Posted Fri Feb 04, 2005 at 06:43:15 AM PDT

Wisconsin Public Radio aired and interesting segment on the increasing cost of college text books. It cited a new report by the Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group which states publishers are to blame (listen). We have addressed this topic previously but I'm glad to hear that this is an issue that is actually being explored by a public interest research group.

So, my question to readers is how can 'we the people' bring about a change in the indurstry? Is it up to students, professors, or maybe free online textbooks (e.g. MIT's OpenCourseWare or Rice's Connexions)?

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Publishers to blame for increasing cost of college text books. | 1 comment (1 topical, 0 hidden)

[new] College textbooks (none / 0) (#1)
by jkauzlar on Sat Feb 05, 2005 at 10:15:12 PM PDT

The problem has already worked itself out partially due to the availability of used textbooks which can be bought and sold at competitive prices, but it still does not help those who wish to keep their textbooks, such as one may want to do for the topic they're majoring in. I bought a relatively small analysis book (~200 pp) which ran around $80! I really don't think there's anything practical students can do about this. Most of them, after all, aren't likely to protest. Professors don't put up the money, so they're going to choose the book that most closely fits their own view of the subject.

All that said, I don't have any helpful advice, but why should any intelligent professor be fooled into buying a 'new' book on, say, complex analysis, when 1) there hasn't likely been any advancements in the subject and 2) the 'great' books on general subjects have already been written long ago. To clarify the latter, look at Dover's catalog. There are some fantastic expositional books available for no more than $15. Even online, you can find great expository works. Do a google search for Robert Ash's homepage and look through some of his books, available for free.

Publishers to blame for increasing cost of college text books. | 1 comment (1 topical, 0 hidden)

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