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Textbooks

    Textbooks Editor's Picks

    • About Used Textbooks

      Used textbooks provide students a cost-effective means of meeting the requirements of their courses. In addition to increasing the stock of required textbooks, used textbooks significantly reduce the expenses associated with attending college. Increasing numbers of used textbooks are now available, both online and in campus... more »

    • About Textbooks

      Textbooks are extremely expensive these days. According to the U.S. Public Interest Research Groups, a student can expect to pay up to $900 or more a year for college textbooks. It's bad enough that tuition for most colleges is astronomically priced. Tack on room and board and the average person ends up in debt for decades. Some... more »

    • How to Get Free Textbooks

      With the cost of tuition always on the rise, who has the money for textbooks? Depending on the courses you’ve chosen, some textbooks can cost more than $200. Multiply that by the number of courses you’re taking and you’ll quickly find yourself out of cash. If only there were a way to get free textbooks. Wait a... more »

    • How to Donate Used Textbooks

      Although they may have been expensive and important in college, textbooks definitely loose their value as the years wear on. And if you have an old edition, you may not be able to sell it back to your bookstore. But don't worry, you don't have to throw it away! Your old textbook can be put to good use by donating it to help those less... more »

    • How to Get Rid of Your Old Textbooks

      The cost of education is skyrocketing, and textbooks are one expense that just can't be ignored, since you've got to have them. One way to make a return on your education is to sell your old textbooks. It sounds easy enough, but if you are not sure how to go about doing this, take a look at some of the tips provided here. more »

    Textbooks Quick Guides

    • Survive College

      You've finally graduated high school and now you're ready for college. It's time to pick your...

    • Science Jobs

      A strong love of science can go a long way once you enter the job market. You can apply your...

    • PhD Basics

      Education is an important element of career progress. Having an advanced degree can greatly...

    • Surviving Law School

      Law school can be one of the most challenging career paths a student can take. It also can be...

    Textbooks Articles

    • How to Rent Textbooks

      The cost of textbooks can be outrageous. Many people thinki they can always sell the books back to the bookstore. The only downside is that... more »

    • How to Buy Used Textbooks

      Buying used textbooks is a great way to save money. There are many resources available for buying used textbooks, and also selling the books you... more »

    • How to Select Textbooks

      Planning a class can be difficult. Preparing exams and designating assignments can be draining tasks. However, even more daunting is the selection... more »

    • How to Buy Textbooks

      The cost of a college education is skyrocketing and so is the price of textbooks. There are ways to buy textbooks much more cheaply than the... more »

    • What to Do With Old Edition Textbooks

      Many students find themselves in a dilemma at the end of a semester when bookstores will not buy back their textbooks. Students paid hundreds of... more »

    Wikipedia

    Textbook

    A textbook is a manual of instruction or a standard book in any branch of study. They are produced according to the demand of educational institutions. Although most textbooks are only published in printed format, many are now available as online electronic books and increasingly in scanned format in P2P networks.

    History
    Texts specifically designated for educational purposes were written in ancient Greece. The modern textbook has its roots in the standardization made possible by the printing press. Johannes Gutenberg himself may have printed editions of Ars Minor, a schoolbook on Latin grammar by Aelius Donatus. Early textbooks were used by tutors and teachers, who used the books as instructional aids (e.g., alphabet books), as well as individuals who taught themselves.

    Compulsory education and the subsequent growth of schooling in Europe led to the printing of many standardized texts for children. Textbooks have become the primary teaching instrument for most children since the 19th century. Two textbooks of historical significance in United States schooling were the 18th century New England Primer and the 19th century McGuffey Readers.

    As of January 2009, the four largest college textbook publishers in the United States were:
    * Pearson Education (including such imprints as Addison-Wesley and Prentice Hall)
    * Cengage Learning (formerly Thomson Learning)
    * McGraw-Hill
    * Houghton Mifflin (including Harcourt)

    Other US textbook publishers include:
    * John Wiley & Sons
    * Jones and Bartlett Publishers
    * F. A. Davis Company
    * W. W. Norton & Company
    * SAGE Publications
    * Catalyst Publishers

    Technological advances are constantly changing America’s higher education landscape, including textbooks. Online and digital materials are making it increasingly easy for students to access materials other than the traditional print textbook. Students now have access to electronic and PDF books, online tutoring systems read more at » http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Textbook

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