I would like to get recommendations for graduate level physics books

[Rick16]

I got a bachelor in physics 11 years ago, and I did not continue my studies. I have now decided to embark on a complete review of undergraduate physics, on my own, as a hobby. I have chosen 7 books for this purpose:

Mary Boas: mathematical methods in the physical sciences

John Taylor: classical mechanics

Daniel Schroeder: thermal physics

David Griffiths: introduction to electrodynamics

David Griffiths: introduction to quantum mechanics

David Griffiths: introduction to elementary particles

Bernard Schutz: a first course in general relativity

These books cover a lot more than what we covered in my undergraduate program. In EM we used Griffiths’ text, but we only made it part way through chapter 9. In elementary particle physics we only scratched the surface, and I had no general relativity at all. So, working through these books from beginning to end will be a major project, which will last several years, and I don’t know if I will ever reach the end.

But I like to dream, and I like to dream about a possible continuation of my project with graduate level texts. This is where I would need some recommendations.

For relativity I have already made up my mind. I want to go with Carroll. I have already read through the book once, without doing any problems, and with a lot of it being over my head. But I liked it, I can relate to the way Carroll looks at things.

For quantum field theory it appears that Klauber would be a good choice, but perhaps there are other texts that would make a smoother transition from Griffiths’ elementary particles? Perhaps I would need to study more quantum mechanics first?

For an advanced mathematics text I have seen a lot of positive comments about Jeevanjee’s introduction to tensors and group theory for physicists, and I may want to go with this one.

For the rest of physics I don’t really know what books to choose. For classical mechanics I have begun to look at Landau, but he is very concise, too concise for me. I would need more explanations. Would Goldstein still be the best choice?

In electrodynamics it appears that the classic text is Jackson, but I have heard a lot of bad things about this book and perhaps one should not choose it if one does not have to. What about Zangwill?

In quantum mechanics the most popular texts seem to be Shankar and Sakurai. Which one would be better suited for self-study? Or is there another text, which may be better still? Or would I first need a more advanced intermediate text than Griffiths?

And finally, about thermal physics, I have no idea at all what to choose.

As I said, the graduate level part of my project is still in the distant future, but I like to dream about it.

 

[pines-demon]

Did you already check:

Other Thread 'List of STEM Masterworks in Physics, Mechanics, Electrodynamics...'

Apr 24, 2018

STEM Bibles

By STEM I mean science, technology, engineering and math. By a bible, I mean a book which is comprehensive, big and heavy (both physically and intellectually), authoritative, and generally highly respected in the community as the standard book that contains more-or-less everything one needs to know about the subject.

The examples in physics are:

- general physics:
The Feynman Lectures on Physics (3 volumes)

- classical mechanics:
H. Goldstein et al, Classical Mechanics

- classical electromagnetism:
J.D. Jackson, Classical Electrodynamics

- general relativity:
C.W...

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[Rick16]

Did you already check:

I have checked those, but I am not looking for big, authoritative books, rather for accessible ones, books that are student-friendly, well suited for self-study. A case in point would be Jackson, which may be a bible, but from what I have heard is not a good book to study from. Klauber, on the other hand, wrote his books specifically with the student in mind. He even put "student friendly" in the title. It is books that have been written in this spirit that I am hoping to find.

 

[marcusl]

Go through your seven review books first. You will then be in a much better position to evaluate what level of graduate text, and what style of exposition, works best for you going forward.

 

[Frabjous]

You need to think about what your goals are. It will help determine what books you should choose. For example, you ask about classical mechanics: Goldstein is good for people who will be doing quantum mechanics. Arnold teaches it in the language of geometry. Fetter and Walecka has a lot on continua. I could go on.

In reality you only need to identify two books: the one you are currently reading and the next one. Don’t presume that you know what physics topics that future you will be interested in.

Most physics books will teach you enough math so that you can avoid math books except as supplements.

For QFT, you might look at QFT for the Gifted Amateur
https://www.amazon.com/Quantum-Field-Theory-Gifted-Amateur/dp/019969933X/?tag=pfamazon01-20

I would start with Jackson and see if you can handle it. As I have gotten older, it is the first EM book I open when I have questions.

There are plenty of threads with recommendations on quantum mechanics and thermal physics/statistical mechanics.

 

[PeroK]

@Rick16 I think the important thing is to get started. Decision on advanced textbooks cam wait.

You could check out Paul's online maths notes for all things calculus. Working through that might be a good start. Get you back into the habit of regular self study.

https://tutorial.math.lamar.edu/

You have to decide on how much classical mechanics you want to do. And whether you need a textbook on SR.

Then you might tackle Griffiths QM.

Everything beyond that is dependent on you wanting to continue. Particle physics, GR, QFT are all dependent on your mastering the undergraduate subjects in any case.

 

[Rick16]

So, basically, the advice that I am getting is that I should wait and see, take one step at a time. That is certainly reasonable.

On the other hand, when you go to college, you know what material you are going to study for years to come. I have always liked this aspect, having a curriculum, and now I like to set up my own curriculum.

There are plenty of threads with recommendations on quantum mechanics and thermal physics/statistical mechanics.

I will check out these threads. They will probably be helpful, thank you.