Quantum Field Theory Demystified (David McMahon)

[squarks]

Hi all,

I bought a book recently of this title. I wanted this one to compliment the field theory book I have already (Peskin and Schroeder) because I find the latter a little hard to follow on my own (I am currently taking Relativistic Quantum Mechanics and will be taking QFT course at some time in the future).

I am always skeptical about these self-teaching series, especially when it comes to quantum field theory. It seems like it goes through all the basic elements of QFT and I can actually read and follow, however there are several obvious typos (such as "charge of strange quark is +2/3") and the author is "a researcher at Sandia National Laboratories".

Does anyone have experience with this book? Should I keep reading, or will I get myself into a whole nonsense about QFT?

 

[tiny-tim]

Hi squarks!

(I haven't read it myself, but …)

Do a forum search for "McMahon" to see what other members think …

in particular look at https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=222203&highlight=McMahon, where the book gets slated

 

[squarks]

Thanks tiny-tim.

It seems obvious that the audience for this book is not someone who wants to rigorously study this field of physics, which is fine since I have Peskin and Schroeder, which is THE book for QFT. As much as his (McMahon) mathematics in the book is not universal and not consistent (I have also noticed his non-conventional notations - perhaps to appeal to undergraduate or hobby physicists), I was hoping that explanations would be more clearer than other books. Now I am skeptical.

Perhaps I will keep reading the book and question everything he states. It may help me learn more efficiently, who knows. I just hoped the publisher would have an errata page associated with this book, there seems to be quite a few typos and general mistakes.

 

[drjack]

Unfortunately this typos are not the only errors in this book. There are quite a lot of technical errors in the book. For example the representation of Lorentz' tensor is incorrect in chapter 1. It is also true about current and energy-momentum four-vector. I don't know why, but the author seems to repeat the same error throughout the book.

 

[rezeew]

I cannot provide a personal opinion on this specific book as I have not read it myself. However, I can offer some general advice when it comes to self-teaching books on complex topics like quantum field theory.

Firstly, it is always important to approach these books with a critical mindset. As you have already noticed, there may be errors or typos that can lead to confusion or misunderstandings. It is important to fact-check and cross-reference information with other reputable sources.

Secondly, while self-teaching books can be a helpful supplement to formal education, they should not be relied upon as the sole source of learning. Quantum field theory is a complex and mathematically rigorous subject, and it is important to have a solid understanding of the underlying principles and equations. A combination of self-study and formal education is often the most effective way to learn complex topics like QFT.

Lastly, it is always beneficial to seek guidance and advice from experts in the field. If you have access to a QFT course or a professor, it would be helpful to consult with them and ask for recommended resources or clarification on confusing concepts.

In summary, while self-teaching books can be a useful tool, it is important to approach them critically and supplement your learning with other resources and guidance from experts in the field.