Abstract

The following paper points out a common impediment to locating useful books. Current methods useful in helping prospective readers find out what a book is about are reviewed. An innovative method requiring all books printed to list certain relevant information to help the prospective purchaser or user assess the usefulness of the book for his purposes is presented. Information suggested includes the purpose for which the book was written, the author's background, a summary of the points the author attempts to develop, and the book's publishing history. This information could be listed in a standard order in a special section of the book which could be called the systematic description page.