Where can I find an out of print scientific book?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the challenges of locating out-of-print scientific books, specifically 'Crystallization of Biological Macromolecules' by A McPherson. Participants share their experiences and suggest various strategies for acquiring rare texts, including library searches and online marketplaces.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses frustration in finding the book through university libraries and notes the high prices on Amazon.
  • Another participant mentions success with alibris.com but also highlights the inflated prices of out-of-print books.
  • A suggestion is made to contact the publisher or editor for potential access to the book or photocopying rights.
  • A link to the British Library's entry for the book is provided as a potential resource.
  • Interlibrary loan is proposed as a possible solution for accessing the book.
  • Another participant shares their own difficulties in finding other out-of-print microscopy books and supports the idea of interlibrary loans and Xeroxing.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the difficulty of finding out-of-print books and the high prices associated with them. Multiple strategies are proposed, but no consensus exists on the best approach to acquire the specific book in question.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention various resources and strategies, but the effectiveness of these methods may depend on individual circumstances and availability of the books.

philip041
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I appreciate this isn't a physics question but I thought maybe someone would have experience in acquiring dusty old books that seem impossible to track down..

I am looking for 'Crystallization of Biological Macromolecules' by A McPherson, I have searched Bristol, Exeter, Bath & Cambridge Universitys libraries for it... no luck the only library that has anything close is Cambridge.

I have found several copies on Amazon.com/.de/.fr/.co.uk but all selling between $1000 and $3000!

I have even wrote to the author but he said he couldn't help me, and that I am not the only one who has asked..

Does anyone know where I can take my search?

Cheers,

Philip
 
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I have had pretty good luck with alibris.com. But wow, they want 1,545 $US for this title. I don't know exactly how the prices come about, but it's ultimately based on what someone else was willing to pay. And once a book is out of print, it is like waterfront real estate, "they're not making anymore..."
 
philip041 said:
I appreciate this isn't a physics question but I thought maybe someone would have experience in acquiring dusty old books that seem impossible to track down..

I am looking for 'Crystallization of Biological Macromolecules' by A McPherson, I have searched Bristol, Exeter, Bath & Cambridge Universitys libraries for it... no luck the only library that has anything close is Cambridge.

I have found several copies on Amazon.com/.de/.fr/.co.uk but all selling between $1000 and $3000!

I have even wrote to the author but he said he couldn't help me, and that I am not the only one who has asked..

Does anyone know where I can take my search?

Cheers,

Philip
Did you try emailing the publisher/editor? They are the ones holding the rights to the book.

Otherwise try finding teachers who have it (or anybody). Borrow it from them.

One year, one of my teacher was using a Special Relativity book who wasn't sold anymore, but he had a copy of the book with him. He asked the publisher if he could make photocopies of the book, as they are the ones holding the right, and they agreed if he payed the rights, which was about 10$ per photocopies.
 
Here's the British Library's entry for the book http://catalogue.bl.uk/F/PNDU2BQ6UFEC5SJE99E3C5XUDHABTF8FTHRBQBC7BEX47LU54N-16702?func=find-acc&acc_sequence=062902034
 
Last edited by a moderator:
http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/39261976/editions?editionsView=true&referer=br

interlibrary loan?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Tell me about it- I have been trying to locate some choice microscopy books (Pluta's Advanced Light microscopy, v. 1 and 3), but they are likewise overinflated.

I second interlibrary loan, and Xeroxing.
 

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