Modern Quantum Field Theory: A Concise Introduction

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion centers on the critique of various science textbooks, particularly highlighting T. Banks' "Modern Quantum Field Theory: A Concise Introduction" as one of the worst in the field. Participants express frustration over the confusing exposition and poor mathematical treatment in several books, including Huang's statistical mechanics texts and Hecht's optics. The consensus indicates a significant lack of quality in available resources for complex subjects like statistical mechanics and optics, with many contributors sharing their traumatic experiences with these texts.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Quantum Field Theory (QFT)
  • Familiarity with General Relativity (GR)
  • Knowledge of Statistical Mechanics
  • Basic principles of Optics
NEXT STEPS
  • Research alternatives to T. Banks' "Modern Quantum Field Theory"
  • Explore Mehran Kardar's statistical mechanics resources
  • Investigate Gilbert Strang's calculus materials
  • Examine the teaching methodologies for complex subjects like statistical mechanics
USEFUL FOR

Students, educators, and researchers in physics and mathematics seeking to avoid poorly written textbooks and improve their understanding of complex topics in Quantum Field Theory, General Relativity, and Statistical Mechanics.

  • #31
vanhees71 said:
I don't know that book yet. I'll see whether I can get it from the library.
Do you have a verdict?
 
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  • #32
jasonRF said:
I thought statistical plasma physics, vol. 1 by Ichimaru was somewhat traumatizing and not very good. It seemed to have a lot of math and little physical insight. If it wasn’t required for a class I never would have spent so much time with it.

jason
I liked the book, but I did not have it for a class. I just supported some research with it. There was a lot of math. Not sure about the physical insight. I think this is probably not the right book for a first book in Plasma Physics. Many Universities use Chen, but I really did not like Chen.
 
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  • #33
caz said:
Do you have a verdict?
We are talking about Baierlein, Atoms and Information. I've glanced over it, and it looks very nice to me. I'm a bit biased though, because I like the information theoretical approach to statistical physics very much, because I think it gives a clear meaning to the somewhat complicated idea of entropy.
 
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  • #34
Demystifier said:
We usually talk about good books, but we rarely talk about bad books. And that is good.

But sometimes, we find that some book is so bad, so really bad, that we strongly want to tell this to the others. So I open this thread to inform others about science books which you find so bad that it needs to be told.

---------------------------

Here is my choice:
T. Banks, Modern Quantum Field Theory: A Concise Introduction
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0521850827/?tag=pfamazon01-20

I've seen many textbooks on QFT, and for me this one is really the worst. From this book I was not able to understand even those things which otherwise I already understand pretty well.
Normally I read books too little, so still have no experience about the bad book, I just read those books which are really good, so I can't list any of bad book.
 
  • #35
BJU Press Physics Grade 12 Student Text
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The book is a bottom feeder and it is segregated from my real texts and other books. I actually keep it next to my fiction and literature books. It is written to prove the literal interpretations of the Christian Holy Bible and hence, tosses out all types of science, especially of radiological decay as well other science. The book often delves into biblical reference vs addressing issues that the book will (perhaps cannot) not acknowledge.
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Sadly, such books get published and the graduates from such program KNOW they have the best education available.
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NO ONE is qualified to argue with God!
.
Who here, can argue with that?
.
Mike drop!
.
A perfect example of a Dunning Kruger exponetial function (Do I get to hog credit for a new term?)
 
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