From: "JACK L. URETSKY (C) 1996; HEP DIV., ARGONNE NATIONAL LAB, ARGONNE, IL 60439" <JLU@hep.anl.gov>
Date: Sat, 28 Dec 1996 12:32:25 -0600 (CST)
Hi all-
Response 2 of 2 to Donald Simanek, who writes:
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Having just
completed a review of one of these bloated encyclopedias masquerading as
textbooks, I heartily second your suggestion that 'less is more'. But try
to tell that to publishers. They come back with the observation that the
ideal text I'd like simply would not sell. They tell me that the books
which sell are those with lots of color, lots of worked examples,
instructor's solutions manuals, overhead transparencies, exam banks, and
coverage of all topics which are in anyone's syllabus, and on any
standardized exam the students might have to take. One editor told me in a
moment of candor that most teachers choose the book which will be the
least work for the teacher. Those of us who really want students to
*understand* are, she said, in the minority.
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Not all publishers, apparently. See, e.g., "Calculus the Easy
Way" by Douglas Downing (Barron's 1996, 3d Ed.). I think that this book
may demonstrate a long step in the right direction.
Regards,
Jack