This Fourth Edition has been revised to reflect the tremendous changes taking place in the way calculus is taught. Now includes coverage of the same topics that are in the Brief Edition plus additional discussions of three-dimensional space and vectors, vector-valued functions, partial derivatives, multiple integrals and vector calculus. Continues the fine tradition of earlier volumes with attention to detail, well-written explanations and a lively, accessible approach to learning.
A thorough and comprehensive introduction to calculus (differential, integral, and multivariate), suitable for 3 semesters at the college freshman/sophomore level. There are plenty of end-of-chapter homework problems, with answers to odd problems in the back, so it can be used not only for a course text, but also for individual study.
The discussion is clear and logical, and fairly rigorous.
The two-color printing is less flashy than many modern books. But the main disadvantage of an edition this old (1980) compared to a more modern text is that it makes no mention of the graphing calculators or symbolic math programs that all college students have access to.
I have the 2nd edition. I do not find Anton's books very good. When I was taking calculus I may have looked at the examples in the book, but never found myself doing any of the problems for extra practice. Now that I'm done with calculus I still feel no desire to use this book for reference or to brush up on things. This is generally the last book I'll consult if I'm looking for an answer to a problem. It's an average to less than average book.
One of the pleasures of reading older edition textbooks is enjoying excellent matte paper, which is easier to use under fluorescent lighting or near the end of a long day of reading. For those students or instructors with colour blindness or vision perception issues, the minimal reliance on colour in the book means these readers can access all the content of the text.