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. ...
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 ...
26
votes
10answers
657 views
Readable books on advanced topics [closed]
I realise that there are already a few questions looking for general book recommendations, but the motivation and type of book I'm looking for here is a little different, so I hope you can indulge me.
...
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:
...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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
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 ...
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 ...
15
votes
2answers
65 views
Recommend good book(s) about the “scientific method” as it relates to astronomy/astrophysics?
I am interested in astronomy/astrophysics, but I am not science major (I am a computer science graduate). Facts and results of the field are presented to the public without showing how these ...
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 ...
15
votes
4answers
494 views
Elegant approaches to quantum field theory
I have been reading Quantum Mechanics: A Modern Development by L. Ballentine. I like the way everything is deduced starting from symmetry principles. I was wondering if anyone familiar with the book ...
13
votes
7answers
744 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)
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 ...
12
votes
2answers
182 views
What is a good introduction to integrable models in physics?
I would be interested in a good mathematician-friendly introduction to integrable models in physics, either a book or expository article.
Related MathOverflow question: what-is-an-integrable-system.
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 ...
12
votes
6answers
1k views
Where should a physicist go to learn chemistry?
I took an introductory chemistry course long ago, but the rules seemed arbitrary, and I've forgotten most of what I learned. Now that I have an undergraduate education in physics, I should be able to ...
11
votes
5answers
508 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 ...
11
votes
2answers
234 views
Searching books and papers with equations
Sometimes I may come up with an equation in mind, so I want to search for the related material. It may be the case that I learn it before but forget the name, or, there is no name for the equation ...
10
votes
4answers
659 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 ...
10
votes
3answers
195 views
Mathematical Physics Book Recommendation [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Best books for mathematical background?
I want to learn contemporary mathematical physics, so that, for example, I can read Witten's latest paper without checking other ...
9
votes
3answers
430 views
Physical and Geometrical interpretation of Differential Forms
I have a doubt about the physical and geometrical interpretation of differential forms. I've been studying differential forms on Spivak's Calculus on Manifolds, but my real intent is to use those ...
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 ...
9
votes
3answers
334 views
Introduction to Anderson localization [closed]
I find Anderson's original paper too terse. I am looking for something that introduces me gently to the subject so that I can understand Anderson's paper and other literature. What references are out ...
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 ...
8
votes
5answers
588 views
Physics book for 15 year old boy [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
List of good classical physics books
my name is Bruno Alano. As stated in the title, I'm 15 years old (I'll do 16 on 7 of Feb) and much love Computer Science (C, C++), ...
8
votes
5answers
673 views
Simple applications of group theory which can be understood by a senior undergrad
I am looking for references (books or web links) which have "simple" examples on the use of group theory in physics or science in general.
I have looked at many books on the subject unfortunately ...
8
votes
2answers
491 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 ...
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.
7
votes
2answers
705 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 ...
7
votes
3answers
357 views
Mathematical rigorous introduction to solid state physics
I am looking for a good mathematical rigorous introduction to solid state physics. The style and level for this solid state physics book should be comparable to Abraham Marsdens Foundations of ...
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 ...
7
votes
3answers
457 views
Boundary layer theory in fluids learning resources
I'm trying to understand boundary layer theory in fluids. All I've found are dimensional arguments, order of magnitude arguments, etc... What I'm looking for is more mathematically sound arguments. ...
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 ...
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 ...
6
votes
5answers
647 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 ...
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. ...
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 ...
6
votes
4answers
344 views
Quantum mechanics textbooks that use path integrals
I'm looking for a textbook in quantum mechanics that relies heavily on Green functions and the path integral formalism to supplement my QM books. I want to do some calculations using alternative ...
6
votes
2answers
567 views
Sources to learn about Greens functions
For a physics major, what are the best books/references on Greens functions for self-studying?
My mathematical background is on the level of Mathematical Methods in the physical sciences by Mary ...
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 ...
6
votes
5answers
941 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 ...
6
votes
2answers
317 views
Analogue of Princeton Companion to Mathematics for Physics?
I would like to know if there are compendiums much like the Princeton Companion to Mathematics for physics (especially classical physics: fluid mechanics, elasticity theory, Hamiltonian formalism of ...
6
votes
2answers
316 views
Where can a good treatment of the 'sudden' perturbation approximation be found?
Where can a good treatment of the 'sudden' perturbation approximation be found?
A lot of quantum mechanics books have very brief discussions of it but I want to see it in some detail and preferably ...
5
votes
2answers
141 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 ...
5
votes
2answers
502 views
Gentle introduction to twistors
When reading about the twistor uprising or trying to follow a corresponding Nima talk, it always annoys me that I have no clue about how twistor space, the twistor formalism, or twistor theory works. ...
5
votes
3answers
995 views
What math do I need for mathematical physics? In what manner should I learn math? [closed]
I'm a freshman undergraduate. I've got my sight on mathematical physics. I love math but I don't have the talent nor the inclination for purely abstract mathematics. I also love physics.
The only ...
5
votes
1answer
220 views
Historical and philosophical reflexions about the concept of energy? [closed]
Perhaps you know the books:
Concepts of Mass in Contemporary Physics and Philosophy
Concepts of Force: A Study in the Foundations of Dynamics
by Max Jammer, which discusses mass and force from a ...
5
votes
1answer
276 views
Reference for mathematics of string theory [closed]
I have a great interest in the area of string theory, but since I am more focused on mathematics, I was wondering if there is any book out there that covers mathematical aspects of string theory. I ...
