The author describes in personal terms the genesis of his introductory psychology text, Understanding Human Behavior. (Author)

Strategies for writing a text are offered by a college professor on the basis of his own experience of writing a text on social psychology. Suggestions are given on creating an efficient office environment, researching the topic, and drafting the manuscript. One way to improve efficiency is to compress teaching into a few days, leaving the…

Offers the author's own experiences with the textbook publishing process to point out that authors and publishers produce textbooks which sell, that textbooks which sell continue in print and inspire imitators, and that teachers' power in the process stems from their choices about which textbooks they will use. (JAD)

Contends that an author's contribution to a textbook may be more or less significant, depending on how much importance is attached to curricula, publishers, consultants, and the school environment. Discusses the changing role of textbook authors in Norway and other nations. Reviews research on textbook development and textbook writing. (CFR)

Argues that the investigation of the life and personality of textbook authors is one approach by which it is possible to analyze school life in the past. The French text author Lacroix is considered. (PK)

Provides some background on Frank Abbott Magruder and compares the 1917 and 1993 editions of his landmark textbook, "American Government." Although the text has gone through 76 editions it remains true to Magruder's original intention to portray the fluid and dynamic nature of U.S. democracy. (MJP)