<p>I am looking into buying some books for college. I don't really want to buy them from the bookstore because they cost way to much. I was searching online and came across the "international edition" of the book I was looking for, and it was considerably cheaper than all the rest listed.</p>
<p>So, my question to anyone who can answer it...is there any real difference between the international edition of a text book and the US version? I have heard the only noticeable difference is that the cover is usually a paperback and the front cover is a different design. Is this true?</p>
<p>Sometimes that’s true, but just to be sure I’d ask the professor to make sure it’s okay. You can also usually tell by reading student reviews of the book.</p>
<p>In terms of content…no they’re both the same.</p>
<p>HOWEVER, a LOT of books make their international editions have different end of chapter problems (ie your homework) to discourage US students from buying them.</p>
<p>Ask your professors if they’re going to assign book problems. If they say no buy the int’l or an old edition. Old editions are usually super cheap and have 99% the same chapter content as the new edition.</p>
<p>I haven’t had this problem, and I mostly use International Editions.</p>
<p>If you’re that worried, one possible choice is to download the books in addition to buying some other edition and then just checking the problems in the digital version.</p>
<p>Older editions can also be used, but I would be more careful because some books do have major reorganizations between prints. That’s not an issue with International Editions.</p>
<p>Buy international editions for English/Philosophy/History/Art classes, avoid them for Math/Science/Engineering classes, unless you know for sure the professor doesn’t assign problems out of the book, in which case the international edition should be fine.</p>