String theory books for beginners on a budget

Join the discussion
Registration is free. Ask a follow-up in this thread, or start your own.
6 replies · 3K views
ElNino
Messages
30
Reaction score
0
Can anyone recommend a Beginners Guide kind of thing for string theory? Basically trying to get started off, what's the best book(s) for me to get? (Preferably cheaper ones, I am kind of cash strapped blown my physics books money for a while)
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Are you looking for a layman's book or one with the mathematics in it?
 
One with the Mathematics in it please :)
 
Michio Kaku has some very enjoyable layman's reading on the subject, but the one textbook I have seen of his was extremely difficult to understand. I hope you know a lot of about group theory.
 
Try Zwiebach's "A First course in String Theory." I know nothing about string theory, but I gather this is a good introduction.

Edit: I didn't notice the money part: perhaps you could beg to join your local university's library?
 
Zweibach?? I am not too sure about this but I think I know someone who has this book. I know her well could probably "borrow" it ;-) Maybe I should go with the layman's reading at first and go with the Mathematics aspect once that is secure? think that's a better idea?