A good physics book besides Giancoli?

Kwally3

Hey!
I'm a junior in high school who's curious and determined to figure and (and retain the knowledge afterwards) how the world works. I'm enrolled in AP physics (i think it was B) but i don't really like how things are explained in our Giancoli book. By no means is it a bad book but I think he focuses too much emphasis on algebraic proofs than explanations (i don't think memorizing formulas is a good way to understanding physics). So what are your recommendations? I'm taking calculus A right now and am proficient in that course.

is conceptual physics by Hewitt any good? I only have enough money to buy 1 book right now. Thanks for your input.

Pinu7

Most introductory physics books are about the same. Therefore, in my experience, if you do not like one, you do not like any of them.

Try:

The Feynman Lectures on Physics(unfortunately, about $200)

Walter Lewin's Youtube Lectures

and

http://physics.nmt.edu/~raymond/teaching.html

Kwally3

Well after a quick amazon search, i found used copies of the 3 volume set running from 60 dollars--paperback though. The reviewers all essentially say it's magical and i'm quite gravitated to buying them. However, how does feynman go about relaying his knowledge (uses extensive algebra? build on the concepts then explain how they are applied in the world?) and what prerequisites would i need to decipher them?

Pinu7

Feynman uses intuition and philosophy, it is not very mathematically emphasized. It would let you "understand" physics.

Kwally3

there's philosophy in physics??
I'm now super hyped. Unless no one else suggests anything by this afternoon, I'm going to purchase them.
When you say it's not mathematically emphasized, do you mean he provides you with the knowledge to derive formulas yourself?
And, just to suppress a side thought, it's definitely not one of those books that you have a great time reading but have no idea how
to apply the knowledge afterwards right?