Related to what you're saying, I think, is what's on the back of The Little Lisper regarding its question-and-answer presentation versus the expositional presen

Related to what you're saying, I think, is what's on the back of The Little Lisper regarding its question-and-answer presentation versus the expositional presentation of normal textbooks: Reading a conventional textbook with expositions followed by problems may keep the reader a passive follower of the displayed line of reasoning. What is wrong about passive reading? It is not always wrong, of course. It can be quite relaxing, but passive reading does not invite the reader to think over the twists of reasoning he may be inclined to. This reflection is necessary in order to doff the wrong twists and to fully appreciate the line of reasoning of the authors.