There is a quite helpful discount code available here: https://www.microsoftpressstore.com/promotions/microsoft-par...

You can request that your local library purchase a copy, then check it out.

Wait for someone to give it to you for some holiday?

If you're fine with a digital option, Archive.org often has scans of books you can either download locally or temporarily "check out" to read on their site like a library (they back it with a physical copy). Seems like they have a scanned version of the first edition.

I also think everyone should know about Sci-Hub/LibGen/MagzDB whether they use those sites or not; most everyone on the internet is seconds away from a resurrected Library of Alexandria and can access tons of scientific papers, books (and textbooks), and magazines, and this is a great thing. They don't have everything, but still there's tons. Looks like the epub for this version is already up.

As a student/young professional, I pirated my way to success.

Fun fact: I actually pre-ordered this book, as it's a known classic. But I only can do that today thanks to piracy.

If your employer or school offers the O'Reilly Library (or is willing to pay for it as part of your training budget), it's located there. Which is where I've started reading it while I wait for my preorder to arrive.

If you drop me your email, i'll contact you to mail you my first edition when the new edition arrives. I don't need both, and don't want you to miss out. Easily my favorite CompSci related book.

Looks like you can get the first edition for ~$20 on Ebay and ThriftBooks. Not sure if that's still out of your price range, but it's an option if it is. Books are a lot like cars in terms of deprecation in my experience. Not always, but you can usually get a nice big discount buying used. Not as much with software books, but still a decent discount.

b-ok.cc has the .epub available for free (but of course if you have the money you should support Petzold)