Beginner's Guide to String Theory: Best Books for the Cash-Strapped

[ElNino]

Can anyone reccomend a Beginners Guide kind of thing for string theory? Basically trying to get started off, what's the best book(s) for me to get? (Preferably cheaper ones, I am kind of cash strapped blown my physics books money for a while)

 

[Monocles]

Are you looking for a layman's book or one with the mathematics in it?

 

[ElNino]

One with the Mathematics in it please :)

 

[jhicks]

Michio Kaku has some very enjoyable layman's reading on the subject, but the one textbook I have seen of his was extremely difficult to understand. I hope you know a lot of about group theory.

 

[cristo]

Try Zwiebach's "A First course in String Theory." I know nothing about string theory, but I gather this is a good introduction.

Edit: I didn't notice the money part: perhaps you could beg to join your local university's library?

 

[George Jones]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0521831431/?tag=pfamazon01-20 by Barton Zwiebach is the standard introduction

 

[ElNino]

Zweibach?? I am not too sure about this but I think I know someone who has this book. I know her well could probably "borrow" it ;-) Maybe I should go with the layman's reading at first and go with the Mathematics aspect once that is secure? think that's a better idea?