Editor's note: One cannot help but be amazed at the growing diversity
in sources of literacy materials, and the growing electronic access to
them via the World Wide Web. The following article is presented in recognition
of this. The opinions, however, are the author's alone and do not necessarily
represent those of the Foreign Language Literacy N-SIG or of Literacy Across
Cultures.
The following is a list of World Wide Web based booksellers. There are basically two kinds of virtual bookshops: those that have been set up because of the opportunities and low overhead that selling on the WWW provides, and traditional booksellers asserting a presence on the Web because it is supposed to change the way we shop.
You can browse their databases and catalogues and/or make e-mail inquiries for title searches. If you have an advanced web browser (e.g., Netscape Navigator 3.0 or MS Internet Explorer 3.01 or later) you can make secure credit card purchases at their websites, but remember to look for the pictographic key or lock on the browser when transmitting sensitive data. If the key is broken or the lock open, then you are not at a secure site. If you can't send securely, there is still always the telephone or fax machine. Also be aware that the advanced encryption technology that is available on certain software bought in the US and Canada may not be available on software purchased outside of those countries.
Ratings are based on my experiences navigating the sites and making actual database searches, title inquiries and purchases. A site might be very convenient to use, but the company might be poor at actually fulfilling orders, and vice versa. I have tried to take both
considerations into account, although I didn't bankrupt myself testing every site with a book order. You might have different experiences with the same firms. Good luck and by all means let us know about your experiences searching for and ordering books online.
Amazon promises 2.5 millions titles (1.5 million in print and 1 million out of print). I found the site slow going; it took a long time to track down titles I wanted to order. The MS Internet Explorer encountered problems at a site that was probably originally designed for Netscape Navigator. When I reported the bug as the command that appeared in a message from their web site told me to do, I was then told to contact the people at MS. I got the feeling that customer service was somewhat lacking. Order fulfillment (shipment to Japan) has always been good, though.
There are a few particular complaints I have about Amazon. (1) When I researched this article, they didn't want to handle title searches and other such inquiries through e-mail or by way of a template-type inquiry form at their website. Also, I was looking for an annotated version of Pilgrim's Progress. A database search yielded 14 different editions. When I asked by e-mail which one had the desired annotations, the reply was, "I don't know." Why don't you order all 14 and return the ones you don't want?" No thank you. (2) At the time I did the research for this article (spring and summer 1997), the site was often slower than most other of the WWW sites or couldn't be reached because the server was overwhelmed with shoppers.
Of course, anyone who wants to buy books over the Web should visit the giant Amazon, but don't be afraid to check out the other sites. There are plenty of other firms out there. Many seem to know books better, and may value you more as a customer.
2. Books Now (**** ) http://www.booksnow.com
Another complete book service with a few differences. They have a searchable database, but they also enthusiastically undertake title searches (with enquiries taken via e-mail or over the Web using the form provided). I found everything to work faster than Amazon. The "identify" feature allows you to record the contents of your "shopping cart" and to purchase on a later visit. One other service might be of interest to those individuals and organizations running websites: if you set up your website to sell books through Books Now, you receive an 8% commission on sales.
3. Any Book International (formerly BookServe International) (****) http://www.anybook.com
Like Books Now, they have a book search service (including out-of-print titles); they have to as there is no on-line catalogue/data- base. Still, this is no problem as you just send them your requests from a form at their website or via e-mail and they send you back the search results. I found it more convenient than those long download times doing searches at Amazon. Once you know the titles and editions you want to order, the site is set up for secure credit card purchases. For serious scholars and teachers, they also offer free bibliography and educational services.
4. Book Stacks (****) http://www.books.com
Fewer titles than the above three, but deeper discounts. There is, for example, a Frequent Buyers Club offering a 30% discount, and purchases earn credits redeemable for free books. I searched their database and made a secure credit card purchase. Again, the site seemed to work faster than Amazon's. They will also undertake e-mailed title searches.
5. Wordsworth Books (****) http://www.wordsworth.com
Searchable database, catalog, title inquiries, secure purchasing; it's all here. I found the site slow navigating, but no slower than Amazon. The function that is normally called "shopping cart" is here called "virtual bag".
6. Telegraph Books Direct (TBD) (****) http://www.telegraph.co.uk
This is a nice development: a service offering all the books in print in the U.K. (where two times more different titles are published annually than in the U.S.). It is a little more difficult to get to, however, than the five above. First you have to register to use the Electronic Telegraph (ET) site. Once you have your identification and password you can get to the ET (one of the two best electronic newspapers available, the other being the Electronic Christian Science Monitor). At the ET, you can click on "Books" and you are taken to TBD. You can inquire for title searches and you can also do regular virtual shopping by searching a database, placing items in a shopping cart, and making a secure credit card purchase.
7. Barnes and Noble Bookseller (***1/2) http://www.BarnesandNoble.com
Barnes and Noble have long been known for their retail stores and mail order service. Their deep discounts now extend to some 400,000 titles available through their website, which is set up very similar to Amazon's. Like Amazon, they do not gladly undertake search requests via e-mail, but they do allow you to do searches of the million or so books in print at their website using various parameters. B & N also offers a special membership that lets you engage in discussion threads about and reviews of the books.
8. Skysoft (***1/2) http://www.sky.co.jp
Skysoft offers a large selection, and orders can be done online as well as by fax. Right now (August 1997), as I understand it, you pick up and pay for your orders at certain designated book stores in Japan. If you live in Japan and can read Japanese with your browser, this might well be the best and cheapest way to order books from the USA. A full-service website as well as an English- language page will be available soon, too. A promising development for bookselling on the Japan-side of the WWW.
Also worth considering
The following are not completely set up for total service via the WWW but are superior booksellers with a presence on the Web.
9. The Reader's Catalog (****) http://www.anybooks.com
This firm publishes the Reader's Catalog, which is a clear, concise, knowledgeable guide to "40,000 of the best books in print". The complete website--which will include a downloadable copy of the catalog and an additional 300,000 title searchable database--is still under construction. I e-mailed them my request for a title search, faxed them my credit card, and then placed my order at their website. The site also offers on-line editions of the New York Review of Books and Granja. They also have a snail-mail mailing list for regular updates to the RC.
10. PostScript (**** ) http://www.sandpiper.co.uk/postscript
This is an excellent discount book service in the U.K. They publish catalogues of general interest and academic titles quarterly. You can browse their current catalogues at the website and send inquiries and orders from the orders page or via e-mail. The site was not yet secure for sending credit card numbers. According to the instructions, if you place an order on their order page without the credit card information, they will contact you. I have also been told it is safe to send credit card numbers via e-mail. But it might be better to send the necessary data in two different e-mails (like credit card number in one; date of expiry, etc. in another). You can also ask to be placed on their snail-mail mailing list.