International Editions...

Hello. I noticed the same thing you did when looking for my text online at Ebay and Amazon. The text we are using is Human Anatomy and Physiology by Marieb 7th Edition + Atlas, CD Rom, and My A&P Booklet with access codes. From what I have read from those who gave reviews on the international Version, the spine falls apart fairly easily due to the amount of use the book gets and that it is a soft cover. The reason that the page numbers are different is becuase the content starts off on a different page number, but all the pages are the same. I bought the U.S. version for a couple reasons. The first is because I don't want to have to waste time converting page numbers in class, and the second is becuase I plan on using this book as a reference in the future after my class is over. I want it to stay in good condtion and stand the test of time. My campus bookstore wanted to charge $196.00 PLUS TAX, but after some research I found a brand new copy with all the extra stuff for $140.00 after S&H on Amazon. They do have a few on Amazon and that are less, but I couldn't tell if they came with the extra stuff based on what they wrote in the description. I checked Ebay as well, and most of the U.S versions go for around $100 to $140 plus shipping and handling. Perhaps you plan on reselling yours or don't mind that the international verion might not hold up that well and would be a better fit for you. Good luck in your textbook search.

Thanks for the response. Well, as far as the spine---I was actually thinking of going to Staples and having them debind (sp) it and place it in a huge 3 ring binder, so that I can just remove the sections as needed and place in a 1/4" or so binder to drag along to work/study rather than the huge book. I agree with you, it would be easier to just flip to the pages indicated by the professor, rather than having to find them out of order etc.

As for resale---nah...I ALWAYS keep my textbooks as reference materials. LOL, the only thing I have ever resold was my Pol.Sci book. LOL.

Thanks, I will keep thinking about it--and btw, I am getting the same textbook that you are using, 7th edition as well.About 175.00 brand new at the college book store. Thus far, I have always purchased my textbooks online as well. Saves a ton of $$$. One semester, I saved close to $200 on my textbooks combined. LOL.

I got my micro book as a used international version on amazon. It is EXACTLY the same as everyone else's book except for the picture on the front and (obviously) the paperback cover. It comes with all the online access and CD/DVD's that everyone else got.

I'll warn you not to store a pen or pencil or any extra papers inside the book because that can make your book fall apart faster.

About debinding your book...there are a lot of charts and pictures that you might need to reference throughout the entire book. My instructor was always sending us all over the book to look at and compare things in different chapter. Be careful if you decide to bring only part of your book to class.

My Microbiology book from last semester was an International book as well...I, like you, was aprehensive about doing it!! But I have to say, it was exactly the same! Some international may be black/white instead of in color, but mine was just fine.

One thing I would make sure of is that you get all the books you would get from your book store. I believe our book for A&P were by the same author, but when I got my book, I also got an atlas type book with it which had pictures of all the different bones/muscles/etc... and it helped me so much in studying. That would be my only concern with the A&P book.

I used to international micro book. The only huge difference was the binding and picture on the front. Well, the $100 differnce was also a HUGE difference.