Introducing Ray Cohn and Textbook Prices

<--------------------------------------------------> This is a posting to ECONHIST.TEACH, a list operated by The Cliometric Society (csociety@cs.muohio.edu). <--------------------------------------------------> I haven't previously introduced myself. My name is Ray Cohn and I've taught at Illinois State University for 17 years. I currently teach a course once each year in American Economic History - I also teach Principles, Intermediate Micro, and International Trade. My major research area is immigration to the U.S. during the first 60 years of the 19th century. For a number of reasons, I've decided to adopt a new text in my American Economic History class for the Spring 1995 semester. What I wanted to do was to use the new Atack and Passell. My problem with it is that I refuse to end my course at World War II, as the book essentially does. So, I thought that I would use something in addition. My thoughts turned to Gene Smiley's new book on the U.S. economy in the 20th century. The problem is the cost of this duo. My bookstore tells me Atack and Passell would be about $31 (not outrageous these days even if it is a paperback) but that Smiley would be $45!!! Now, I'm all for someone making a buck, and the parts of Gene's book that I've read are quite good. But, the price strikes me as outrageous for a paperback (or, is my bookstore totally off base?). I'm sure that Gene was not asked about the price, but I refuse to make my students spend $76 for books for my course. I feel that we have some interest in keeping costs down to our students. In contrast, Walton and Rockoff is priced about $43 and Hughes and Cain about $50. I thought others might appreciate this information on what it costs our students to take our classes. So, does anyone have suggestions for a supplement that could be used with Atack and Passell? I have in mind something that would discuss economic trends since about 1940 and would do so at an acceptable price. Other information on textbook prices are also welcome. <----------------------------------------------------------> To post a message, send it to ECONHIST.TEACH@cs.muohio.edu. For more information, send the message "info ECONHIST.TEACH" to lists@cs.muohio.edu. >