Discover Must-Read Old Math Books: Griffin, Hardy, Sawyer, and More!

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The discussion centers around the value of older mathematics textbooks compared to newer ones. Several classic texts are mentioned, including Griffin's "Introduction to Mathematical Analysis," Hardy's "A Course of Pure Mathematics," and Durell and Robson's "Elementary Calculus." Participants argue that older books often provide a solid foundation and cover essential concepts in detail, which some newer texts may overlook. Hardy's book is particularly praised for its clarity and thoroughness, making it suitable for advanced high school or early university students. The conversation also touches on the perception that older books are better, suggesting that only quality texts endure over time, while inferior ones fade from memory. Some newer recommendations, such as works by S. Weinberg, are acknowledged, but the consensus leans towards the enduring value of classic texts for foundational mathematics. Additionally, there are inquiries about specific older books and their relevance today, with a general sentiment that fundamental mathematical concepts remain unchanged over time.
theoristo
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Since old books are almost always better and are recommended here,I found the following old books and I was wondering if should I use them or if they are too old:
Griffin’s book, Introduction to Mathematical Analysis
Durell and Robson, Elenientary Calculus, volumes I and I1
Hardy's A Course of Pure Mathematics (Cambridge Uni-
versity Press)
What is calculus about? by W. W. Sawyer
Calculus L.V. TARASOV Basic Concepts for High Schools
Piaggio 's differential equations
Algebra through practice ROBERTSON
A Survey of Physical theory by Planck
MATHEMATICS Its Content, Methods, and Meaning by different authors
and this one which is newer: All you Wanted to Know About Mathematics but Were Afraid to Ask By Louis Lyons
University of Oxford
Reviews?
 
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Who said old books are almost always better?
 
Well do you know any recent good book ?
 
There are plenty marvelous new books, e.g., every textbook by S. Weinberg (quantum field theory (3 vols.), Cosmology (both the 1971 and 2008 books), and Quantum Mechanics) is great.

It's very natural that one gets the impression that "old textbooks" are better than newer is that only the good ones survive long enough that we are aware of them. The bad ones are simply not visible anymore and get forgotten :-).
 
Jorriss said:
Who said old books are almost always better?

Theoristo did. And he has quite a point and some good examples. Though the explanation might be that of vanhees.

Hardy I have always near and is excellent for both ideas and technique at its level (early university or late school advanced, depending on coutry) yet very digestible, Piaggio is brilliantly short yet full, simple and digestible, very good especially for those useless special d.e.'s esp 1st order they make you do and you forget, but you can find them again in the unlikely case you need them (e.g. for helping students do useless d.e.'s) though there are bits I haven't understood yet, then anything by WW Sawyer is good.
 
Not familiar with the others, but these are quite good
Durell and Robson, Elenientary Calculus, volumes I and I1
Piaggio 's differential equations
and
Hardy's A Course of Pure Mathematics (Cambridge Uni-
versity Press)
is even better
Hardy's book besides being a joy to read occupies an interesting niche. It covers the early parts of calculus completely. Most newer books either leave out important details or move to quickly.
 
lurflurf said:
Not familiar with the others, but these are quite good
Durell and Robson, Elenientary Calculus, volumes I and I1
Piaggio 's differential equations
and
Hardy's A Course of Pure Mathematics (Cambridge Uni-
versity Press)
is even better
Hardy's book besides being a joy to read occupies an interesting niche. It covers the early parts of calculus completely. Most newer books either leave out important details or move to quickly.
Durell and Robson is from 1933 can I still use it today?
 
I'm not aware of any new derivatives or indefinite integrals being discovered in the last 80 years, and the multiplication tables haven't been affected by inflation, so go for it.
 
SteamKing said:
I'm not aware of any new derivatives or indefinite integrals being discovered in the last 80 years, and the multiplication tables haven't been affected by inflation, so go for it.
Thanks.
 
  • #10
Some nice finds. The W. W. Sawyer book is one I'd like to recommend for an informal intro to calculus book, but it is typically too expensive on Amazon.
 
  • #11
I found other really old book:(older is better:biggrin:)
**Differential and Integral Calculus by Clyde E. Love
**Calculus by Henry Charles Wolff
**Introduction To Calculus by Kuratowski Kazimierz.((Of these three which is the best?))
Elementary Vector Analysis by Weatherburn.
VECTOR ANALYSIS AND THE THEORY OF RELATIVITY by FRANCIS D. MURNAGHAN
A Course Of Modern Analysis by Whitaker, E. T Watson, G. N
A Synopsis of Elementary Results in Pure Mathematics; Containing Propositions, Formul , and Methods of Analysis, with Abridged Demonstrations. Suppl by George Shoobridge Carr
Any reviews or any comparing with newer ones?
 
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  • #12
A review on amazon of Introduction To Calculus by Kuratowski Kazimierz says that it rivals Spivak?any comment?
 
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  • #13
There 's also Piskunov's book on calculus ,what's its quality compared to the already stated ones?
 

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