- #1
RiverRich
- 3
- 0
Just for survey.
Can you tell me what string theory textbook are you reading,everybody?
- Thread starter RiverRich
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Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the various string theory textbooks participants are currently reading or have read. It includes opinions on the pedagogical value of these texts and personal experiences with acquiring them.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested
Main Points Raised
- Some participants mention reading Zwiebach's "A First Course in String Theory" and express positive views on its accessibility.
- One participant notes that they found Zwiebach at a local bookstore for a good price, contrasting it with their experience of finding other texts expensive.
- A participant shares that their advisor initially recommended "Superstring Theory" by Green, Schwarz & Witten, but they found it challenging compared to Zwiebach.
- Another participant comments on the target audience of Zwiebach, suggesting it is suitable for well-prepared undergraduates or beginning graduate students, emphasizing the need for a solid understanding of relativity and quantum mechanics to fully grasp the material.
- There is mention that Zwiebach primarily covers bosonic strings in detail, with only brief overviews of superstrings and brane theory, indicating a potential limitation for those seeking comprehensive coverage.
- One participant describes Zwiebach as an excellent resource for self-teaching, suggesting its pedagogical strengths.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express a general agreement on the accessibility and pedagogical value of Zwiebach's textbook, but there are differing opinions on the adequacy of its coverage of string theory topics.
Contextual Notes
Some participants highlight the need for prior knowledge in relativity and quantum mechanics, which may affect the understanding of Zwiebach's content. There is also a noted limitation in the depth of coverage regarding superstrings and brane theory in Zwiebach's text.
- #2
robousy
- 332
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I am reading Zweibach
- #3
dextercioby
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I think he meant Zwiebach's "First Course in String Theory".
Daniel.
Daniel.
- #4
RiverRich
- 3
- 0
Yea,I see."A First Course in String Theory".
How much did you buy it? I found it at least $40 on froogle .
How much did you buy it? I found it at least $40 on froogle .
- #5
Kalimaa23
- 277
- 1
I've also just purchased Zwiebach. I found it at a local large bookstore/cd place (Fnack) for a good price, which surprised me a little. Not that I'm complaining though.
My promotor gave me Superstring Theory by Green, Schwarz & Witten to start with, but I found it a bit...um...heavy. Zwiebach is a breeze my comparison. I'm actually the one who tipped to prof about it, he didn't consider it before I mentioned it. While attending a conference, he talked about it with a few colleagues, and the consensus was that Zwiebach is the most pedagogical. Plus, he found out that he was referenced in it
My promotor gave me Superstring Theory by Green, Schwarz & Witten to start with, but I found it a bit...um...heavy. Zwiebach is a breeze my comparison. I'm actually the one who tipped to prof about it, he didn't consider it before I mentioned it. While attending a conference, he talked about it with a few colleagues, and the consensus was that Zwiebach is the most pedagogical. Plus, he found out that he was referenced in it
- #6
selfAdjoint
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Zwiebach is aimed at well-prepared undergraduates or, I would guess, beginning graduate students. He assumes you are cool with (and I do mean cool with) relativity and non-relativistic quantum mechanics. If you have any serious hangups with the mathematical representation of either of these, it will impede your understanding of Zwiebach and slow down your pace until you rectify that.
And then he only does bosonic strings in any detail, and has just overviews of special topics in superstrings and brane theory. If you want more than that you just about have to go on to GSW (both volumes) or Polchinski (ditto).
Given all that, Zwiebach is an excellent book for self-teaching.
And then he only does bosonic strings in any detail, and has just overviews of special topics in superstrings and brane theory. If you want more than that you just about have to go on to GSW (both volumes) or Polchinski (ditto).
Given all that, Zwiebach is an excellent book for self-teaching.
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