[Fresh Wind]

Not only do they overcharge for the books, but they change the book selection frequently to prevent students from selling the books to each other. So, in most cases, you are stuck with an overpriced tome that you will never, ever open again in your life.

[Puddleglum]

It's a racket and you can bet there are folks getting tons of money by "recommending" which books get used in their classrooms, etc. Middlemen getting fat at the expense of the college kids. College students - and their parents - are a captive audience getting gouged left and right.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

So, in most cases, you are stuck with an overpriced tome that you will never, ever open again in your life.

Or the bookstores won't buy them back because, guess what? A new one is being used for the course.

Another tidbit about education and books.

Historic battles - history vs social studies - Who interprets?***At the same time, educators of all stripes worry that history textbooks have been "glitzed up and dumbed down," says Priscilla Linden, who teaches social-studies education at Arcadia University in Glenside, Pa. "All the effort has been to get kids' attention. Now it's gone to the other extreme - you can't find the message."

Textbook publishers have tried to draw students in with anecdotes and asides, which makes it harder to find the substance. Even more startling, educators say, is that sometimes a classroom teacher has to consult another textbook or source to get the full story of an event.

Most troubling to historians like Fitzhugh is the notion that children are interested only in things that speak to their own experience. ***

[Commiewatcher]

"So, in most cases, you are stuck with an overpriced tome that you will never, ever open again in your life."

You might never open it a first time. As a frosh back in '64 they would give you a list of what to buy only to find out that the prof you got didn't want you to use that text anyway and you had to buy yet something else. Of course the bookstore would gladly take the book back for 10% of what you paid for it, even if it was still encased and unopened. Didn't make that mistake again in subsequent years.

[mtbopfuyn]

I rarely paid full price for a text. Got them used. The problem with ordering texts from overseas is they may not get here in time or some other mix up. College book stores know this and won't be bringing their prices down.

[NYProf]

Your comments on this revelation are valid. Many schools are dissolving their bookstores and students generally have only on-line purchase options. Most professors are aware of the cost of textbooks, particularly new ones. I advise my students that nearly any edition of the book will suffice (overseas purchases are frequently one or two editions behind). If there are minor differences in the sequencing, or even the updated info, I remain aware of that and take appropriate steps to ensure a "level playing field" in the classroom. In the meantime, be sure and let your school administrators know about this problem - - they need to step up to the problem but are not doing much. Remember, when they went to college, a textbook cost $15. :-)