Clarifying with authors of textbooks.

[nascentmind]

Hi,

Is it a good idea to clarify doubts in a textbook with the authors themselves? These authors are generally professors in universities. Would they find it offensive?

Thanks.

 

[micromass]

What doubts are you talking about?? You mean typo's in the textbook? I'm sure that the authors would like you to tell them about typo's in the book...

 

[fss]

If it's a conceptual misunderstanding it's probably best to ask your professors about it first.

 

[nascentmind]

I want to know of conceptual misunderstandings. I am not in any university but self studying.

I have alerted authors of mistakes in their books and clarified some doubts but none of them were professors but people working in the industry.

 

[micromass]

If it's a conceptual misunderstanding, then it's best to ask people on this forum about it. Maybe they can clarify it for you. And if it turns out to be a mistake of the author, then I think it's ok if you tell the author about it...

 

[Simfish]

Lots of professors appreciate such clarifications - they put those clarifications in their textbook errata.

That being said - just make sure that you aren't wrong. :p