If the book is written properly the first time, it shouldn’t need constant revisions.

I use this:

http://huskynet.stcloudstate.edu/instructional/coursefiles/requestEmail.asp

is better said this way…

“As someone who was already well into the econ major and really liked economics, I often wondered as I looked through some of their textbooks if I’d have even chosen economics as a major if I’d been given the introduction to the material that they were getting in their textbooks. I, as someone who really LIKES economics, could see possibly being so turned off by those texts that I might not have ever chosen the econ major. I often wondered while tutoring frustrated students if they would feel differently if they’d had the great introduction to the topic of economics that the Mankiw text gave me.”

So, I guess if there’s a “moral” to this story, it’s that I think that textbook selection should be made a HUGE priority, in the principles classes, especially.

The best textbook I have ever bought was in its 2nd edition and was already 5 years old. It had few thrills and frills. The worst I had ever gotten was in its 11th edtition and was a year or 2 old and was coming out with a new one the upcoming fall.

I think saving each student $40 per textbook is huge because if all 5 of a students professors did so it would save the student $200 a semester which for many students 1/2 to 2/3 of a months rent.

Anyways, I agree that textbooks are way over priced and have been for some time. I for one have been taking advantage of International Student Editions on eBay for my last few semesters. Outside of the cover, they are usually always exactly the same. International Editions are usually 1/2 the price brand new of the US hardcover version a textbook. I also have nothing but good things to say about the quality/durability of these softcover International Editions. The MU/P for International Editions > MU/P for US Editions, so I don’t plan to be buying any US Editions anytime soon.

Lastly, I think students learned after the 1st or 2nd semester in college that buying textbooks at the bookstore is a terrible idea. Students here at SCSU need to take advantage of HuskyBooksExpress’s feature that tells you exactly what books are required for each class you are registered for weeks before the semester starts. It goes also that teacher’s should aid their students by deciding on a textbook as early as possible and getting that information to the right place so students have plenty of time to scope the market and find a good deal on all of their textbooks. I’ll admit that I frequent eBay in the off months and have bought a few textbooks at dirt cheap prices and held them until the start of a semester and put them for sale on eBay and made a nice return. Just another way to hedge the costs of textbooks every semester!