Studying Books for a prospective physicist

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The discussion emphasizes the importance of reading scientific literature to enhance understanding and skills in physics. The original poster seeks recommendations for deeper, more technical books beyond popular science works like those by Stephen Hawking. They mention an interest in foundational texts and biographies of influential scientists, which can provide inspiration and insight into the scientific process. Key suggestions include "Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman" for its engaging introduction to physics concepts, "The Character of Physical Law" for its thought-provoking content, and various biographies that highlight the lives and contributions of notable scientists. The conversation underscores that becoming a proficient physicist requires not only a grasp of physics but also a solid foundation in scientific principles and methodologies.
jamalkoiyess
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Hello PF,
Lately i have been interested in reading scientific books after knowing that most successful people got concentrated into books and that's what pushed them (Elon Musk, Albert Einstein, Bill Gates ...)
But most of the advice i get for books are for business and management. So i would be pleased if anyone can give me any advice about books for being a better physicist.
What i am reading lately are mostly Hawking books which are good but lack the depth because it is meant for the public, a book about geoengineering that i started today, and i tried once to read "A Stubbornly Persistent Illusion" which is a compilation of Einstein's works but i felt it was hard and useless because i will be learning it later anyways.
So i wish you get my point and what i want to read and thanks for any help.
 
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"Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman" was inspirational for me, but more as a gateway to the Feynman Lectures than on its own.

As I matured as a physicist, "The Character of Physical Law" was also important in my thought development.

Biographies of other scientists have also been inspirational, including

"Louis Pasteur, Free Lance of Science" Dubos

"Lavoisier and the Chemistry of Life" - Holmes

"Galileo Galilei" - Drake

"George Washington Carver: From Slave to Scientist" - Benge

Don't forget that to be a good physicist, you have to be a good scientist also. Read books that will help you become a better scientist, and you will be a better physicist.

Most of the physics specific part of it is working very hard, dealing with the math, and dealing with invariance at a higher and more general level.
 
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Hey, I am Andreas from Germany. I am currently 35 years old and I want to relearn math and physics. This is not one of these regular questions when it comes to this matter. So... I am very realistic about it. I know that there are severe contraints when it comes to selfstudy compared to a regular school and/or university (structure, peers, teachers, learning groups, tests, access to papers and so on) . I will never get a job in this field and I will never be taken serious by "real"...
Yesterday, 9/5/2025, when I was surfing, I found an article The Schwarzschild solution contains three problems, which can be easily solved - Journal of King Saud University - Science ABUNDANCE ESTIMATION IN AN ARID ENVIRONMENT https://jksus.org/the-schwarzschild-solution-contains-three-problems-which-can-be-easily-solved/ that has the derivation of a line element as a corrected version of the Schwarzschild solution to Einstein’s field equation. This article's date received is 2022-11-15...

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