Are these textbooks good?

  • Thread starter InvalidID
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In summary, people generally don't trust Amazon reviews for books in physics, and you should also check out the books' authors before buying them.
  • #1
InvalidID
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I've finished my first semster (which included Calculus 1 and Physics: Mechanics). I'm currently in my second semester (which includes Calculus 2 and Physics: Waves and Fields).

So apparently the textbooks that my university assigns are terrible according to the reviews here. So I'm looking for supplemental books, but I'm totally overwhelmed. Can anyone help me lower my number of choices?

For physics (waves & fields):

https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=670160
https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=666388
https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=666108
https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=665636
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0748744479/?tag=pfamazon01-20
https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=665800
https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=666677
https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=666185
https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=666083
https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=665596
https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=666157

For calculus 2:
Will finish this later. I have to go to class right now.
 
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  • #2
You should name the books here so that we don't have to click on every link. But it can't be a bad idea to include the links as well.
 
  • #3
Did you even click on the Amazon links for those books? Most of the books you listed do not even cover the subject you wish to supplement. You should have waited until you were done with class to make a proper post.
 
  • #4
Mmm_Pasta said:
Did you even click on the Amazon links for those books? Most of the books you listed do not even cover the subject you wish to supplement. You should have waited until you were done with class to make a proper post.

Can you be more specific?
 
  • #5
For those who prefer the titles:

Problems in General Physics
The Road to Reality
The Feynman Lectures on Physics
Mathematical Methods of Classical Mechanics
Vibrations and Waves
Classical Dynamics of Particles and Systems
Newtonian Mechanics
Vibration and Waves
Classical Mechanics
An Introduction to Mechanics
University Physics with Modern Physics
 
  • #6
InvalidID said:
For those who prefer the titles:

Problems in General Physics
The Road to Reality
The Feynman Lectures on Physics
Mathematical Methods of Classical Mechanics
Vibrations and Waves
Classical Dynamics of Particles and Systems
Newtonian Mechanics
Vibration and Waves
Classical Mechanics
An Introduction to Mechanics
University Physics with Modern Physics

People usually recognize textbooks by the authors and less by the titles. So you might want to list the authors...
 
  • #7
For those who prefer the authors:

I.E. Irodov
Roger Penrose
Richard P. Feynman, Robert B. Leighton and Matthew Sands
V.I. Arnol'd (Author), K. Vogtmann (Translator), A. Weinstein (Translator)
A.P. French
Stephen T. Thornton (Author), Jerry B. Marion (Author)
A.P. French
George King
Herbert Goldstein (Author), Charles P. Poole Jr. (Author), John L. Safko (Author)
Daniel Kleppner and Robert J. Kolenkow
Hugh Young, Roger Freedman, Lewis Ford
 
  • #8
IMO, you shouldn't always trust reviews on Amazon...often times there are negative reviews from students who expect to be spoon-fed :)

If you've already covered a semester of mechanics than I think K&K's mechanics text would be good (I'm learning mechanics 'properly' from it but sometimes refer to a more standard text for clarification). I like the questions in it - really makes you think about the physics.
 

1. What criteria should be considered when determining if a textbook is good?

There are several factors to consider when determining if a textbook is good. These include the accuracy and relevance of the information, the organization and clarity of the content, the level of difficulty and appropriateness for the intended audience, and the overall quality of the writing and illustrations.

2. How can I tell if a textbook is up-to-date?

The date of publication is usually listed on the copyright page of the textbook. You can also check if there have been recent editions or updates to the textbook, which may indicate that the information is more current.

3. Are textbooks from certain publishers considered better than others?

It is not fair to say that textbooks from certain publishers are universally better than others. However, some publishers may have a reputation for producing high-quality textbooks in certain subject areas. It is important to research the publisher and read reviews before making a decision.

4. How can I find reviews or ratings for a specific textbook?

Online resources such as Amazon or Goodreads often have reviews and ratings from students or educators who have used the textbook. You can also check with your school's library or academic departments for recommendations or reviews.

5. Is it necessary to purchase the latest edition of a textbook?

It depends on the subject and how much the content has changed. In some cases, older editions may still contain relevant information. However, if there have been significant changes or updates, it may be necessary to purchase the latest edition for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

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