4 ms·

> past 2nd edition Case in point: the vomit-inducing colorful print of the 3rd edition of Axler's Linear Algebra Done Right.

Jtsummers 6y ago
Hah. I actually had two linear algebra texts in college, both ostensibly by the same author (I can't recall now who it was so can't verify the later edition was actually by the same man and didn't reuse his name). One was my mother's in college some time in 1976-1980, the other was mine from some time in 2000-2004. If it weren't for the exercises, I'd have only used hers because it was a much clearer text, it was also less than half the size (overall smaller in every dimension: shorter, narrower, and thinner).
CalChris 6y ago
On a black and white Kindle, I rather like Linear Algebra Abridged. That might be different on paper and in color (always overrated).
axler 6y ago
Sorry that you do not like the color in the third edition of Linear Algebra Done Right. Most students find it useful, for example, to have definition boxes be a different color than theorem boxes. The color did not increase the price of Linear Algebra Done Right. New hardbound copies of the book usually sell for about $45 on Amazon, much less than most competing books. Furthermore, Linear Algebra Done Right almost always has the best Amazon sales rank of books for a second course in linear algebra. --Sheldon Axler
- Koshkin 6y ago
  I have nothing against using color in books. I think that, for example, Topology Illustrated by Saveliev got this right. The use of color is especially helpful in presenting objects (not text) when the density of information is high, e.g. in schematic images found in books on cell or molecular biology. Turning an otherwise excellent text into a shiny toy, on the other hand, only serves to damage its reputation in the eyes of a serious reader (but, sure, not necessarily a younger student who may be used to or even appreciative of shiny things).

Jtsummers 6y ago

Hah. I actually had two linear algebra texts in college, both ostensibly by the same author (I can't recall now who it was so can't verify the later edition was actually by the same man and didn't reuse his name). One was my mother's in college some time in 1976-1980, the other was mine from some time in 2000-2004. If it weren't for the exercises, I'd have only used hers because it was a much clearer text, it was also less than half the size (overall smaller in every dimension: shorter, narrower, and thinner).

CalChris 6y ago

On a black and white Kindle, I rather like Linear Algebra Abridged. That might be different on paper and in color (always overrated).

axler 6y ago

Sorry that you do not like the color in the third edition of Linear Algebra Done Right. Most students find it useful, for example, to have definition boxes be a different color than theorem boxes. The color did not increase the price of Linear Algebra Done Right. New hardbound copies of the book usually sell for about $45 on Amazon, much less than most competing books. Furthermore, Linear Algebra Done Right almost always has the best Amazon sales rank of books for a second course in linear algebra. --Sheldon Axler

Koshkin 6y ago
I have nothing against using color in books. I think that, for example, Topology Illustrated by Saveliev got this right. The use of color is especially helpful in presenting objects (not text) when the density of information is high, e.g. in schematic images found in books on cell or molecular biology. Turning an otherwise excellent text into a shiny toy, on the other hand, only serves to damage its reputation in the eyes of a serious reader (but, sure, not necessarily a younger student who may be used to or even appreciative of shiny things).