Thread: Textbook in calculus

So I've got exams in calculus 2 and 3 in september and november. I've got a good overview of the subject, but there are some holes that needs to be filled, and some theoretical aspects I need to get a clearer understanding of. To that end I've decided to purchase a textbook that contains the entire curriculum of calculus 1-3, that is, starting with simple limits and ending with surface integrals and Gauss's theorem, and work my way through during the summer. During these courses at school we have been using multiple textbooks, some good and some not-so-good. I think getting a single book would be better for the sense of continuity, and also using a new book will give me another perspective from my old books.

Anyway, these kinds of books are quite expensive, and I was hoping to get some advice on which one is the best before I order anything. After looking through amazon.com and reading reviews there, there's atleast three books that looked interesting:

Calculus and Analytic Geometry (9th Edition) (Hardcover), by George B. Thomas and Ross L. Finney
Amazon.com: Calculus and Analytic Geometry (9th Edition) (9780201531749): George B. Thomas, Ross L. Finney: Books

Calculus with Analytic Geometry, Alternate (Hardcover), by Ron Larson, Robert P. Hostetler, Bruce H. Edwards
Amazon.com: Calculus with Analytic Geometry, Alternate (9780395889022): Ron Larson, Robert P. Hostetler, Bruce H. Edwards: Books

Calculus: A New Horizon, Combined, 6th Edition (Hardcover), by Howard Anton
Amazon.com: Calculus: A New Horizon, Combined, 6th Edition (9780471153061): Howard Anton: Books

If anyone has any experience with any of these books, or know of any other good calculus-book, I would appreciate some advice here!

See here for familiarization.

Originally Posted by gralla55

So I've got exams in calculus 2 and 3 in september and november. I've got a good overview of the subject, but there are some holes that needs to be filled, and some theoretical aspects I need to get a clearer understanding of. To that end I've decided to purchase a textbook that contains the entire curriculum of calculus 1-3, that is, starting with simple limits and ending with surface integrals and Gauss's theorem, and work my way through during the summer. During these courses at school we have been using multiple textbooks, some good and some not-so-good. I think getting a single book would be better for the sense of continuity, and also using a new book will give me another perspective from my old books.

Anyway, these kinds of books are quite expensive, and I was hoping to get some advice on which one is the best before I order anything.

[snip]

My advice: Make the library your friend.