Note: Books questions are off topic now, ask your question in chat instead. Questions asking "What is a good book about X?" or more generally, "What should I read to learn about X?", typically where there is not a single authoritative reference. Please consider adding your question to this list ...
71
votes
1answer
5k views
Book recommendations [closed]
Every once in a while, we get a question asking for a book or other educational reference on a particular topic at a particular level. This is a meta-question that collects all those links together. ...
2
votes
12answers
3k views
List of good classical physics books
What are some good books for learning the concepts of Kinematics, Newton laws, 2D Motion of Object etc.?
25
votes
10answers
4k views
Best books for mathematical background?
What are the best textbooks to read for the mathematical background you need for modern physics, such as, string theory?
Some subjects off the top of my head that probably need covering:
...
2
votes
10answers
4k views
What is a good introductory book on quantum mechanics?
I'm really interested in the quantum theory and would like to learn all that I can about it. I've followed a few tutorials and read books but none satisfied my need completely.
What is the good ...
17
votes
10answers
2k views
Getting started general relativity
What are some good books, videos, websites for getting started with general relativity?
Mathematically rigorous preferred!
16
votes
8answers
2k views
Comprehensive book on group theory for physicists?
I am looking for a good source on group theory aimed at physicists. I'd prefer one with a good general introduction to group theory, not just focusing on Lie groups or crystal groups but one that ...
16
votes
7answers
2k views
Classical mechanics without coordinates book
I am a math grad student who would like to learn some classical mechanics. The caveat is I am not to interested in the standard coordinate approach. I can't help but think of the fields that arise in ...
9
votes
5answers
1k views
Mathematically-oriented Treatment of General Relativity
Can someone suggest a textbook that treats general relativity from a rigorous mathematical perspective? Ideally, such a book would
Prove all theorems used
Use modern "mathematical notation" as ...
6
votes
8answers
4k views
Which Mechanics book is the best for beginner in math major?
I'm a bachelor student majoring in math, and pretty interested in physics. I would like a book to study for classical mechanics, that will prepare me to work through Goldstein's Classical Mechanics. ...
3
votes
7answers
2k views
Beginner Physics Resources?
I'm interested in learning physics. I do realize that the subject is large and that it would be easier if I had a specific area of interest. However, I do not. I suppose I want to learn about the ...
3
votes
4answers
1k views
Books for Condensed Matter Physics
What are some good condensed matter physics books that can fill the gap between Ashcroft & Mermin and research papers? Suggestions for any specialized topics (such as superconductivity, CFT, ...
22
votes
6answers
2k views
Formalizing Quantum Field Theory
I'm wondering about current efforts to provide mathematical foundations and more solid definition for quantum field theories. I am aware of such efforts in the context of the simpler topological or ...
6
votes
9answers
2k views
Book about classical mechanics
I am looking for a book about "advanced" classical mechanics. By advanced I mean a book considering directly Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulation, and also providing a firm basis in the geometrical ...
4
votes
8answers
830 views
Modern references for continuum mechanics
I'm wondering what some standard, modern references might be for continuum mechanics. I imagine most references are probably more used by mechanical engineers than physicists but it's still a ...
6
votes
5answers
939 views
Recommendations for Statistical Mechanics book
I saw Book recommendations
No reference to Statistical Mechanics there.
I learned thermodynamics and the basics of statistical mechanics but I'd like to
sit through a good advanced book/books.
Mainly ...
3
votes
2answers
552 views
Learn algebra and interpretation of QM
I have a good undergrad knowledge of quantum mechanics, and I'm interesting in reading up more about interpretation and in particular things related to how QM emerges algebrically from some reasonable ...
4
votes
1answer
620 views
Particle physics getting started
I know classical physics, quantum mechanics, special relativity, basic nuclear physics.
I would like to get into some particle physics.
I want to get into that higgs boson, lepton, quark things :D
...
2
votes
5answers
3k views
Mathematical background for Quantum Mechanics [duplicate]
What are some good sources to learn the mathematical background of Quantum Mechanics?
I am talking functional analysis, operator theory etc etc...
12
votes
8answers
2k views
Crash course on algebraic geometry with view to applications in physics
could you please recommend any good texts on algebraic geometry (just over the complex numbers rather than arbitrary fields) and on complex geometry including Kahler manifolds that could serve as an ...
11
votes
5answers
506 views
Reading list in topological QFT
I'm interested in learning about topological QFT including Chern Simons theory, Jones polynomial, Donaldson theory and Floer homology - basically the kind of things Witten worked on in the 80s. I'm ...
9
votes
2answers
573 views
Are there books on Regularization and Renormalization in QFT at an Introductory level?
Are there books on Regularization and Renormalization, in the context of quantum field theory at an Introductory level? Could you suggest one?
Added: I posted at math.SE the question Reference ...
12
votes
1answer
954 views
Good introductory text for matrix string theory
Where can I find a good introductory text for matrix string theory? Most textbooks don't cover it, or only cover it very superficially.
What is the basic idea behind matrix string theory? How can ...
3
votes
3answers
780 views
Popular books on QM
After some discussions with my friend about some "popular" aspects of quantum mechanics, my friend asked me whether there exist any books that could convey the basic ideas in a non-technical way (my ...
1
vote
2answers
306 views
Where is a good place to learn (classical) optics?
I need to learn basic optics for a high school academic competition. Does anyone know any good places, preferably free and online, to learn the basics of optics, like lenses, angles of incidence, ...
1
vote
1answer
428 views
Electrodynamics textbook that emphasizes applications
Which textbook in Electrodynamics which emphasizes practical applications and real life examples would you recommend for undergraduates ?
21
votes
13answers
2k views
Suggested reading for renormalization (not only in QFT)
What papers/books/reviews can you suggest to learn what renormalization "really" is? Standard QFT textbooks are usually computation-heavy and provide little physical insight in this respect - after my ...
22
votes
3answers
1k views
A No-Nonsense Introduction to Quantum Field Theory
I found Sean Carroll's "A No Nonsense Introduction to General Relativity" (about page here. pdf here), a 24-page overview of the topic, very helpful for beginning study. It all got me over the hump ...
6
votes
10answers
2k views
Physics for mathematicians
How and from where does a mathematician learn physics from a mathematical stand point? I am reading the book by Spivak Elementary Mechanics from a mathematicians view point. The first couple of pages ...
7
votes
6answers
936 views
References about rigorous thermodynamics
Can you suggest some references for rigorous treatment of thermodynamics? I want things like reversibility, equilibrium to be clearly defined in terms of the basic assumptions of the framework.
13
votes
7answers
742 views
Books that every non-physicist should read
To add to Books that every physicist should read:
A list of popular physics books for people who aren't necessarily physics grads.
(see also Book recommendations)
7
votes
2answers
704 views
A book on quantum mechanics supported by the high-level mathematics
I'm interested in quantum mechanics book that uses high level mathematics (not only the usual functional analysis and the theory of generalised functions but the theory of pseudodifferential operators ...
6
votes
2answers
391 views
Introduction to string theory
I am in the last year of MSc. and would like to read string theory. I have the Zwiebach Book, but along with it what other advanced book can be followed, which can be a complimentary to Zwiebach. I ...
4
votes
2answers
347 views
Book covering Topology required for physics and applications
I am a physics undergrad, and interested to learn Topology so far as it has use in Physics. Currently I am trying to study Topological solitons but bogged down by some topological concepts. I am not ...
4
votes
7answers
459 views
Quantum information science references
I was hoping you guys could recommend reading material on Quantum Information Science. First off, here's my background.
Personally, I started reading Ballentine's Quantum Mechanics and I found it be ...
2
votes
3answers
896 views
What's a good textbook to learn about waves and oscillations?
I'm taking a course on waves and oscillations using Crawford from the Berkeley series (out of print excluding international copies), and would like to know if anyone has any suggestions for a better ...
10
votes
4answers
658 views
Introduction to AdS/CFT
AdS/CFT seems like a really hot topic and I'd like to start reading about. I am looking for the best introduction at my level, i.e. I have a background in QFT, CFT and general relativity at the level ...
3
votes
6answers
551 views
Good book about elementary particles for high school students?
I need a good book about elementary particles. I am a high school student and don't want anything to technical. I read a brief history of time and the universe in a nutshell but i want something that ...
2
votes
1answer
279 views
Condensed matter physics for mathemematicians
What is a good way for me to learn the basics of condensed matter physics? I'd like to get a better understanding of the fundamentals behind recent technological developments like OLEDs, applications ...
8
votes
2answers
489 views
Introductory texts for functionals and calculus of variation
I am going to learn some math about functionALs (like functional derivative, functional integration, functional Fourier transform) and calculus of variation. Just looking forward to any good ...
6
votes
4answers
307 views
Dark matter references
I've been looking for questions about dark matter, and I've read some very interesting answers. However, I desire too look into it deeply.
This is not actually a question. I'm asking the community ...
1
vote
1answer
102 views
Are there any good audio recordings of educational physics material?
I am studying to return to school in physics and would like to start spending as much time as possible on that task. Most of my small amount of free time, however, I am either doing house work or ...
15
votes
9answers
1k views
Books that develop interest & critical thinking among high school students
I heard about Yakov Perelman and his books. I just finished reading his two volumes of Physics for Entertainment. What a delightful read! What a splendid author. This is the exact book I've been ...
33
votes
18answers
2k views
Quantum Field Theory from a mathematical point of view
I'm a student of mathematics with not much background in physics. I'm interested in learning Quantum field theory from a mathematical point of view.
Are there any good books or other reference ...
1
vote
2answers
2k views
Best physics olympiad resources [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Book recommendations
I am looking for good book recommendations at the level of high-school physics.
I am having in mind to find out as to what are the typical books ...
6
votes
5answers
646 views
Good book on the history of Quantum Mechanics?
Can anyone recommend a good book on the history of Quantum Mechanics, preferably one that is technical and not afraid to explain the maths (I did a degree in Physics many years ago) and also that ...
7
votes
2answers
346 views
What is the formula for the relativistic ellipse?
If an astronomer moves at relativistic speed, the stars and constellations are distorted. He sees the stars towards which he is moving blue shifted, while the ones he's moving away from are red ...
5
votes
2answers
140 views
Advanced topics in string theory
I'm looking for texts about topics in string theory that are "advanced" in the sense that they go beyond perturbative string theory. Specifically I'm interested in
String field theory (including ...
3
votes
2answers
281 views
Fractals in physics. Suggest book titles
I'm looking for some good books on Fractals, with a spin to applications in physics. Specifically, applications of fractal geometry to differential equations and dynamical systems, but with emphasis ...
2
votes
2answers
816 views
What are good books for graduates/undergraduates in Astrophysics?
There are no book recommendations for Astrophysics here. I will write my own answer, but I am also interested in what are others' views on the question (I will NOT mark my own answer as the best one).
...
3
votes
5answers
504 views
Crash course in classical thermodynamics
I've been working on some projects lately where it would be very handy to know more about thermodynamics than I do, but sadly I never had a chance to take a proper thermodynamics course in college. ...
