Between RD Sharma and HC Verma: What Makes Textbooks Extensively Thicker?

Have you ever wondered why eminent authors such as R. D. Sharma and H. C. Verma write such voluminous textbooks? RD Sharmarsquo;s works are undoubtedly thick, but H. C. Vermarsquo;s, especially his Concepts of Physics and Quantum Mechanics for BSc, are more concise. So, what exactly drives these authors to create such extensive textbooks?

Variations in Textbook Length and Authorship

The length and thickness of a textbook can be influenced by various factors. I once wrote a 370-page book on creative writing literature, and I assure you that the content was carefully selected to avoid redundancy. Had I included more, it could have easily surpassed 500 pages. Therefore, the length of a textbook isnrsquo;t just about quantity; itrsquo;s also about providing the most necessary information.

Collaborative and Solo Authorship

When a textbook is written by a group of authors whose expertise lies within the subject matter, you often find extensive references to other works. For instance, a bibliography showing quotations from other books that the authors themselves wrote can be a common practice. In my solo-authored textbook, everything presented is a combination of my views and accepted views from other sources. This explains the need for a bibliography, highlighting the importance of referencing.

Nonfiction and Textbooks: Speculation and Fact

Nonfiction books are often speculative but include citations to support the authorrsquo;s claims. Similarly, textbooks are supposed to teach facts rather than speculation. However, in the case of textbooks, they may present both. As new information becomes available, science textbooks, for example, can become outdated. They often reflect a historical timeline of the subject, rather than current realities.

The Quest for Comprehensive Knowledge

Textbooks are designed to impart as much available and general knowledge as possible to the student, enabling them to independently pursue further learning. Consider a subject like a pencil. Even such a mundane object can have a thick textbook dedicated to its history and trivia. A four or five hundred-page textbook on pencils, or any other subject, might already exist, suggesting the importance of covering every relevant aspect.

In essence, the thickness and depth of a textbook are not just about the amount of content but also about providing students with a comprehensive understanding of the subject at hand, ensuring that they can explore the topic further on their own.

Keywords: RD Sharma, HC Verma, Textbook Writing