Are the Demystified Series Physics Books Reliable for Serious Students?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the reliability and credibility of the Demystified Series physics books by David McMahon, particularly for serious students of physics. Participants evaluate the books' content, quality, and usefulness in understanding complex topics such as relativity and quantum field theory.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express skepticism about the suitability of the Demystified Series for serious students, suggesting they are not comprehensive enough.
  • Others acknowledge that while the books are credible, they do not offer significant advantages over other textbooks.
  • A participant who has worked through "Relativity Demystified" finds it useful for practical calculations but recommends seeking additional theoretical sources.
  • Concerns are raised about the presence of numerous errors and misprints in some books, particularly in the Quantum Field Theory volume, which some claim undermines their value.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally do not reach a consensus, with multiple competing views on the reliability and usefulness of the Demystified Series for serious students. Some find value in the practical aspects, while others highlight significant flaws.

Contextual Notes

Limitations noted include the presence of typos and errors in the texts, which may affect their reliability. Additionally, there is a suggestion that the books may not sufficiently cover theoretical aspects compared to other sources.

sam_qau
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How credible are the Demystified Series physics books by David McMahon?
 
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They're ok, but definitely not for the serious student of physics.
 
They are credible but not so great in my opinion.
 
They are credible, but do not demystify more than other textbooks.
 
Hi

I have worked my way through "Relativity Demystified".
I think it's a good book in the sense that it gives you a lot of tools how to do calculations in general relativity. No computer, no calculator, just pencil and paper. And in doing all the examples and the quizzes you really get the grip on, how to calculate a Riemann-tensor or Einstein-equation.
Regarding theory I would seek other sources. e.g. Carrol (2004).

The book contains quite a lot of typos, and I have published an extensive list on my homepage
http://physicssusan.mono.net/9035/General Relativity - Relativity demystified"

Su L
 
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some of them are good, some of them contains TOO many errors and misprints to be valuable for a serious student. The QFT book has errors on almost every page...
 

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