Textbooks: Hardcover vs Softcover Ed.

[Darein]

So I have been looking around to get a textbook, Introduction to Electrodynamics, and for $20 less there is a softcover edition. I was wondering if anyone had any experience ordering a softcover book vs. the hardcover, usually is everything inside the same, i.e. page numbers and problem numbers? I have also seen some say economy edition, does that change things?

 

[IamElectro]

As long as the volume and version are the same no problems check the first couple of pages for this info. If you plan on selling them back later the hard cover will fetch more cash.

 

[silverpig]

Intro to electrodynamics may be a book you might consider actually keeping... they probably won't change it much (intro book...), so it'll be good for reference later, especially if you're going on in that field and want to check up on a few things from the intro class... I know I do that from time to time.

Of course if the book is sh!t, then you'll want to turf it as soon as you finish the final...

 

[y00ycdz]

Yeah, keep the books that have to do with your field, sell off stupid gen-ed course books. I keep all EE and Physics books (well 1 of each so far, ) -- Probably worth it in the long run if you ever need to look something up.

 

[MrBond]

What's the deal with these softcover versions? Are they bootleg copies? I'm trying to find my reactor design book on half.com, everyone is selling these "softcover international versions". I'm not going to support some bootlegging operation if that's what they are, I'll pay the $100 for the hardcover version. But $40 for the softcover version is tempting

 

[rpberry123]

Originally posted by: MrBond
What's the deal with these softcover versions? Are they bootleg copies? I'm trying to find my reactor design book on half.com, everyone is selling these "softcover international versions". I'm not going to support some bootlegging operation if that's what they are, I'll pay the $100 for the hardcover version. But $40 for the softcover version is tempting

Just like drugs you buy in Mexico.... not bootleg, just priced lower for third world students...
Be careful though. Sometimes the international editions may have chapters rewritten or sequences
changed to suit students of schools in other countries. Check with other students taking your course
or talk to your prof. if you are unsure.

 

[MrBond]

Originally posted by: rpberry123


Just like drugs you buy in Mexico.... not bootleg, just priced lower for third world students...
Be careful though. Sometimes the international editions may have chapters rewritten or sequences
changed to suit students of schools in other countries. Check with other students taking your course
or talk to your prof. if you are unsure.

Thanks for the info. I'll try and score a cheap hardcover version, or if it's worth buying (have to talk to some other people), I'll just get the retail copy

 

[mchammer187]

if you plan on keeping the book go hardcover otherwise get a soft

you will be raped on the resale either way so you might as well spend less now