Physics Books - A List of Small Gems

[FourEyedRaven]

Hi.

I am looking for physics books of a particular type: concise, and very well regarded. Two examples I found are "Mechanics", by Laundau & Lifshitz; and "Elementary Statistical Physics" by Kittel. Both are around 200 pages and they cover a lot of material.

Unfortunately, I don't have the time to learn physics from large books. So I am looking for short physics books, like these two, that can be read in a relatively short amount of time and that contain all the essentials. I intend to use them as a complement to on line video lectures I want to watch.

So what books would you recommend in this category, especially for more advanced physics subjects?

 

[gleem]

What is the reason that you need to learn physics in a short time? What is your goal?

 

[FourEyedRaven]

For now the purpose is recreational, but I might want to do a PhD in theoretical physics a few years from now. I have a bachelors and a masters in mathematics, so the mathematical barrier is mostly removed. I've always liked physics and I think I can learn enough on my own to have a decent understanding. If I decide to improve my understanding to be able to get into a PhD program, then I will do it. But for now, I would like to aim lower and read shorter, well regarded books. For example, instead of reading Goldstein, I'll read Landau.

 

[gleem]

Whatever books you use should have problems. For without solving problems you cannot be sure of your understanding.

 

[vanhees71]

Well, from the OP, I think it's safe to say that Dirac is your man. Particularly his book on General Relativity is of astonishing brevity and nevertheless of astonishing completeness. Also his famous quantum theory textbook is very efficient. Another example is the 6-volume set of theoretical-physics lectures by Pauli.

 

[Demystifier]

I already presented a list of great short books elsewhere:
Brief Conceptual Books
Brief Conceptual Books
Brief Conceptual Books