You are all correct about the need for better editing. The whole concept of striving for clear, concise, accurate communication is dying. I've read a lot of books in my 65 years and the quality of writing and editing has faded on a parabolic curve during that time.
Part of the change is the result of publishers knowing that most readers are not sophisticated enough to notice the poor writing. Knowing that, they let more get by, which perpetuates--even accelerates--the problem.
There are lots of errors in the TBB series but the series was, to cut a little slack, written as a popular look at the subject. If the volumes were prepared as text books--going through several edits and peer reviews--each volume would cost $100 or more.
For that matter, I have a new textbook for a class I am taking. It cost $65 used. I have found a couple of typographic errors in the first chapter and the writer is certainly not brief in making his points.
For contrast, read a book written before 1960. You will find clarity, brevity and accuracy. Even a typo is rare. It is a cliche that every generation of elders thinks the new generation is falling short of the standards. In some cases, we can show undeniable evidence that that is true.
