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18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This book is priced according to the publisher's investment, November 4, 1998
By A Customer
As the editor of this book, I suppose it would be fair to consider my response to Mr. Wettstein to be biased. Furthermore, it is difficult to address issues of affordability and value because these purchasing decisions are personal and subjective. I can, however, clarify the mistaken assumption that a paperback version would reduce the price, since a cloth cover doesn't really add significantly to a textbook's total cost. The price that a textbook publisher charges a retail operation is based heavily on the cost of developing and manufacturing the book. In the case of this text, I refer in part to the high cost of drawing and preparing almost 250 high-quality, color maps and diagrams, the cost of licensing from Rand McNally the 13 regional reference maps that begin each chapter, and the cost of preparing over 150 color photographs. Furthermore, all the work done on this text, from concept to finished product, is done in the U.S.A.Mr. Wettstein mentions what he has gained from the extensive knowledge of the authors, and by doing so addresses one quality of the text that sets it apart from other books like it. Professor de Blij has travelled around the world for the past 25 years in order to make this book as enriching, accurate, and not to mention, as beautiful as it is today. One can imagine his travel expenses and the enormous energy required of him. Yet, the result of the used book market and the other options Mr. Wettstein suggests,is that Harm de Blij and Peter Muller are not compensated via royalties. Compare the $78.95 with items similarly priced, for example, athletic gear. I cannot believe that the cost of the design, materials and overhead for making sneakers comes close to the investment publishers make, especially with books that depend so much on graphics and photographs. Yet, a pair of sneakers runs close to $100 these days. As with sneakers, our book may become worn with use, but I doubt that you'll ever need to throw it out. With this textbook, one gets a trip around the world that will last an intellectual lifetime.
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