Deciding Between Apostol & Courant Books - Input Appreciated

[Ryan14159]

Im really having a hard time on deciding which of the two multi-volume books to get. I haven't read either of the two, but I do have Spivak's "Calculus", great book, and I've been told both authors are somewhat similar to him. Any input would be much appreciated.

(And yes I have considered just getting both but I am a college student on a budget)

 

[micromass]

You already read Spivak? No need getting Apostol or Courant then. Just get something with actual new material, like an actual analysis book.

 

[Ryan14159]

Hah, I've tried to more than once, but I don't know if I want to just start laughing out loud or through it across the room, so I've found that its most useful as a reference book. A few people have told me to look up the two above mentioned mathematicians because they put a similar effort into their proofs and explanations. Its the attention to detail they use that gets me.

 

[micromass]

Hah, I've tried to more than once, but I don't know if I want to just start laughing out loud or through it across the room, so I've found that its most useful as a reference book. A few people have told me to look up the two above mentioned mathematicians because they put a similar effort into their proofs and explanations. Its the attention to detail they use that gets me.

OK. Anyway, I think Apostol is the better book here. The problems are not as theoretical as Spivak, but they are still as difficult.

May I ask you what knowledge of mathematics you have already? It is very likely you just don't have enough experience or knowledge to be able to tackle Spivak, or Apostol, or Courant.