BP
A similar situation exists in collage level math and physics books. These clunkers are updated every year to keep pace with the ever changing aspects of algebra, calculus, gravity and the like. They typically offer multiple pages of problems, supplementary problems and more problems, at the end of each chapter, but only the scantiest explanations and examples as to how to understand the mathmatical / physical connection so necessary for practical application. In most cases the only real hope is a really good Prof and a copy to the (restricted availability) teacher’s guide.
It’s all geared to revineu, which I guess is ok. But a lot of good young minds don’t realize it’s a stacked deck. They figure it’s their inability rather than defective texts. The kid can eithere drop or become lawyers… Bad system, getting more badder in the fullness of time.
R
So, Rabin,
What was your verdict? These textbooks were the result of stupidity or subversion?
I had never thought about this stuff at the college level because I assumed that professors would be highly motivated to find the best books. Thus driving bad books off the market. (At lower levels, bureaucrats pick books or the teachers might not be clever enough to evaluate a book’s inner workings. So we don’t expect the best.)
But you’re suggesting a most unpleasant picture. Bad books. And professors so bad they go along with the bad books. At the college level?? Say it ain’t so.