Classical Mechanics by Douglas Gregory

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the book "Classical Mechanics" by Douglas Gregory, focusing on the presence of errors within the text and the implications of these errors on its reception and success among instructors and students. Participants explore the nature of the errors, the adequacy of the publisher's errata, and the overall quality of the book in the context of classical mechanics education.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express discomfort with the number of errors found in the book, questioning if others have encountered similar issues.
  • One participant defends the book, stating it has clear definitions and principles, and asks for specific examples of errors.
  • There is a concern about the lack of detailed information regarding the errors, such as specific chapters or pages where they occur.
  • Another participant notes that the book's lack of a second edition may indicate poor reception among instructors and students, particularly in the UK.
  • Some argue that commercial success does not necessarily reflect the quality of a textbook, suggesting that the decision for a second edition is influenced by profitability rather than educational merit.
  • One participant mentions that errors have been corrected in the 16th printing of the book and claims it is highly recommended by universities in their country.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus regarding the extent or significance of the errors in the book. While some defend its clarity and recommend it, others highlight the presence of errors and question its overall success.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference the official errata from the publisher and discuss the implications of the book's commercial success and the decision not to publish a second edition. Specific details about the errors remain unspecified.

shinobi20
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I have read some parts of the book but noticed some errors that are to much for me to be uncomfortable for the rest of the book. Anyone encountered such problems with the book? Mainly, encountering too many errors? Even the errata in the publisher's site didn't gave sufficient corrections to the errors I saw. Do anyone here know if there exist some compilation of errors besides the errata?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0521534097/?tag=pfamazon01-20
 
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shinobi20 said:
I have read some parts of the book but noticed some errors that are to much for me to be uncomfortable for the rest of the book. Anyone encountered such problems with the book? Mainly, encountering too many errors? Even the errata in the publisher's site didn't gave sufficient corrections to the errors I saw. Do anyone here know if there exist some compilation of errors besides the errata?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0521534097/?tag=pfamazon01-20
What sort of errors are you talking about? This book seemed to be a pretty clear book with very clear cut definitions, principles and proofs. Perhaps it is written by a mathematician and as such doesn't have all the physical insights that can be hoped for. But overall it is a good book.
Can you give a specific example of an egregious error that you have found out?
 
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This thread was posted in 2015, so if they still remember the details then it must have been pretty bad...
 
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Office_Shredder said:
This thread was posted in 2015, so if they still remember the details then it must have been pretty bad...

But we still do not know exactly where this book is presumably wrong (chapter/page)...
For example, here https://www.cambridge.org/gb/academ...solid-mechanics/classical-mechanics?format=PB is the official errata from the publisher.
Since a second edition was no longer published by CUP, in order to have the opportunity to integrate this errata, it means the book was not a success with the classical mechanics' instructors and students (at least in the UK).
 

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dextercioby said:
it means the book was not a success with the classical mechanics' instructors and students (at least in the UK).
Commercial success is not necessarily a good measure on the quality of a text.
 
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caz said:
Commercial success is not necessarily a good measure on the quality of a text.
While this is correct, one must bear in mind that the decision to publish a second edition of a book (so that the errata is implemented) is made primarily on profitability analysis:

a) the textbook was so well sold, that the publisher asks the author to „polish” the initial text, so that it can be sold again.
b) the textbook was so poorly written and had such miserable sales and feedback from professors, that the publisher urges the author to almost rewrite all again (the famous example of Schwichtenberg's "Physics from Symmetry", Springer Verlag).
 
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dextercioby said:
But we still do not know exactly where this book is presumably wrong (chapter/page)...
For example, here https://www.cambridge.org/gb/academ...solid-mechanics/classical-mechanics?format=PB is the official errata from the publisher.
Since a second edition was no longer published by CUP, in order to have the opportunity to integrate this errata, it means the book was not a success with the classical mechanics' instructors and students (at least in the UK).
Those errors have been corrected by the 16th printing in 2018. That textbook is also one of the most recommended textbooks by Universities in my country
 
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