College Books, Do editions really matter?

[imported_vr6]

Its that time of the year again and i don't know if i should really care if the editions make a difference?

Okay heres the deal.

I found the book i need, but its 1st edition, but the class i am gonna have is a second Edition.

The price difference is HUGE. About a 60% difference in price. Now, should i get the 1st or the 2nd edition?

btw, this is For human geography 102, if it makes any difference.

 

[rgwalt]

To tell you the truth, the best thing you can do is ask the prof. I've seen books where there is practically no difference between the two editions. I was in a similar situation as you are in this semester. Turned out that the second edition was lacking 4 chapters plus a lot of other information that the 3rd edition contained, and we were required to get the 3rd edition for $110 (cheapest on-line price) versus the 2nd edition for $30.

Sucks, huh.

Ryan

 

[imported_vr6]

hymm.. that sounds scary.... any other people with such experiences?

 

[Ameesh]

human geography? is that different from monkey geography or hippopatumus geography?

 

[imported_vr6]

please don't waste room if u don't have anything helpful to say

 

[spanky]

it really depends. usually between different editions...they just make some minor revision and correct mistakes. content is usually the same, but they might switch a little stuff here and there. one problem i had with difference revision text books were that when the prof assigned homework from the book...the page numbers are off.

 

[PsychoAndy]

<< To tell you the truth, the best thing you can do is ask the prof. I've seen books where there is practically no difference between the two editions. I was in a similar situation as you are in this semester. Turned out that the second edition was lacking 4 chapters plus a lot of other information that the 3rd edition contained, and we were required to get the 3rd edition for $110 (cheapest on-line price) versus the 2nd edition for $30.

Sucks, huh.

Ryan >>



I'm gonna have to second the "ask the teacher" notion. A couple of my teachers just said, "I dont care what edition you have, the test is gonna be based on my lecture anyways, so dont worry about it much"

 

[RossMAN]

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[whitelight]

for most of my classes, an older edition wasn't really different from a newer one. and some profs were even kind enough to give the assignments in both new and old editions so ppl using the old stuff didn't really have to suffer. but you should contact the prof and see if there is a dramatic difference between editions.

 

[atom]

Agreed, ask the teacher.......................

I once had a physics class and my friend and I were discussing the review problems at the end of the chapter. First problem we did we got totally different answers. Our units weren't even the same. I was like, "WTF"? Turns out he was using an older edition and all the problems were in different order. That could be a bitch if you have HW assignments from the book.

 

[imported_vr6]

so i guess it does matter then huh?... well i guess i can't save myself some money... maybe i'll ask the profs, thanks for the replies.

 

[AreaCode707]

<< it really depends. usually between different editions...they just make some minor revision and correct mistakes. content is usually the same, but they might switch a little stuff here and there. one problem i had with difference revision text books were that when the prof assigned homework from the book...the page numbers are off. >>



Exactly right. Ask the teacher and they should be able to tell you what works and what doesn't. I had a teacher once that printed up the syllabus and included page numbers for two editions of the books, just in case.

 

[eakers]

your best bet would be to compare the two.

most often though the reading assignments would be way outta whack and the questions too cuz there are more or less pages and stuff.

*kat. <-- just bought a text book for 175 :disgust:

 

[SpecialEd]

people are always coming up with new ideas and formats. New editions help keep the literature up to date. I wouldn't want to take a history class on comtemporary issues that has a text book published in 1984. Consecutive editions may not seem that different, but compile minor changes that over 10 years and you may have a completely different text book.

 

[dullard]

The majority of college textbooks that I've had list the changes in the preface. Things like "expanded chapter 3 to include up to date information" are reported. Get yourself a copy of the 2nd edition and check if it lists the changes. Most changes are error corrections - this may be a big deal if you learn the incorrect information or it may be minor if you are smart enough to notice that it differs from what the professor says. Often the changes are with added/altered questions. If your professor assigns problems from the book then you will be screwed.

I think the average college student pays $3000 for textbooks. Many sell them back so lets assume a net cost of $2000 during the entire time in college. This just isn't a very big expense when compared to tuition/fees/room/board/etc. So I just pay the price and don't complain.

 

[imported_vr6]

<< I think the average college student pays $3000 for textbooks. Many sell them back so lets assume a net cost of $2000 during the entire time in college. This just isn't a very big expense when compared to tuition/fees/room/board/etc. So I just pay the price and don't complain. >>



Wow, where do u sell your books at? so u get 2/3 of the original price u bought your books for?

LAst time i sold my books, i got like 1/4 of the original price i paid for my books....

 

[Parrotheader]

<< ...the page numbers are off. >>

That was the only major problem I EVER had with different editions. Everybody else gave other valid reasons, but for most day-to-day stuff, this will probably be your biggest headache.

 

[dullard]

<< Wow, where do u sell your books at? so u get 2/3 of the original price u bought your books for?

LAst time i sold my books, i got like 1/4 of the original price i paid for my books.... >>



Read my post if you pay $3000, and get $1000 back, then you have paid $2000 net. I just assumed 1/3rd back.

 

[MeanMeosh]

well, for me, it does make a difference as i'm an electrical engineering major and new revisions and editions usually mean that new technology is being covered.... usually...