Book Reviews

Why do so many authors of textbooks tell such whoppers in the preface? "It is intended. for a course. . .at the sophomore-junior level, although it can be used in a freshman-level course since (it) does not assume any background beyond high school mathematics. The material. . .can be covered in a one- semester course at a rather brisk pace." This prefatory stuffing has the effect of defining "rather brisk" to be (roughly) just short of the speed of light, if one takes into account the experience and maturity levels of the intended audience.