Top Must-Read Books for Well-Educated Minds | Math, Science, and More!

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around recommendations for must-read books that contribute to a well-rounded education, particularly in the fields of mathematics and science. Participants share their personal favorites and explore various genres, including historical accounts, theoretical physics, and self-development literature.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest "Gödel, Escher, Bach" and "The Road to Reality" by Roger Penrose as noteworthy reads.
  • One participant recommends "Poincaré Conjecture" by Donal O'Shea for its historical exposition on the conjecture.
  • Another mentions "The Hole in the Universe" by K.C. Cole and "The Black Hole at the Center of Our Galaxy" by Fulvio Melia for their engaging content on observed phenomena.
  • Several participants highlight the ten volumes of "Course of Theoretical Physics" by Landau and Lif****z as essential for aspiring physicists.
  • Books like "Unknown Quantity" by Derbyshire and "Warped Passages" by Lisa Randall are noted for their historical and conceptual insights into mathematics and physics.
  • Self-development literature, such as "Power Up Your Mind" by Bill Lucas, is also discussed, emphasizing the importance of learning strategies.
  • Participants express the distinction between reading physics books and studying them, suggesting that active engagement with exercises is crucial for deeper understanding.
  • Others mention various authors and works, including Brian Greene, Carl Sagan, Richard Dawkins, and classic literature, as valuable contributions to a well-educated mind.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants present a variety of recommendations without reaching a consensus on a definitive list of must-read books. There are differing opinions on the importance of studying versus merely reading physics texts, indicating a lack of agreement on how best to engage with the material.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note the limitations of certain books, such as the absence of exercises, which may affect the depth of understanding. The discussion reflects a range of perspectives on what constitutes valuable reading for education in STEM fields.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students and enthusiasts in physics, mathematics, and related fields seeking book recommendations to enhance their knowledge and understanding of complex concepts.

  • #31
ALL I REALLY NEED TO KNOW I LEARNED IN KINDERGARTEN" by Robert Fulghum
 
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  • #32
has anyone read Einstein: His Life and Universe?? I am looking into reading this book next, once my semester workload slows down a little..
 
  • #33
john16O said:
has anyone read Einstein: His Life and Universe?? I am looking into reading this book next, once my semester workload slows down a little..

Yes! It is a very interesting look into Einstein's life. Walter Isaacson is a great writer and explains Einstein's seemingly complex ideas in terms anyone can understand. However, I am no expert.
 
  • #34
Metamagical Themas: Questing For The Essence Of Mind And Pattern by Douglas R. Hofstadter
 
  • #35
Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions (E.Abbot)
The God Delusion (R.Dawkins)
Hyperspace (Michio Kaku) (I like this one, his other books tend to border fiction)
The Demon Haunted World (C. Sagan)
Billions and Billions (C.Sagan)
(Someone already mentioned Cosmos etc.)
Einstein's Telescope (E. Gates)
Uranium (T.Zoellner)
Science: A Four Thousand Year History (P.Fara)
The Math Book (C.Pickover)

Non Physics/Science books
Art of War (Sun Tsu)
Being and Nothingness (J.P.Sartre)

What are some other great ones that do not require you to already be a Physics PhD?
 
  • #36
ffleming7 said:
Yes! It is a very interesting look into Einstein's life. Walter Isaacson is a great writer and explains Einstein's seemingly complex ideas in terms anyone can understand. However, I am no expert.

I just read it. It's very well written and shows that it can be an advantage when non-physicists write popular works that involve a lot of physics. Isaacson had a team of physicists and science historians checking the technical details (including Greene and Krauss!) He quotes many intriguing papers from recent researchers into the history of Einstein's physics, so it's a great first-source for anyone wanting to look into how Einstein was thought to have developed his theories, based on the latest historical research. The personal stuff was also very interesting, and based on a lot of new material that was released quite recently.
 
  • #37
malawi_glenn said:
if they don't contain exercises, then yes you can follow the forumulas and trying to get all the steps etc. Or find another textbook or excerixes somewhere else.

Physics is not a science that you gain knowledge by reading, nor math either. One has to practice and encounter difficulties and try to overcome them :)

so would you suggest such a practice book for relativity...

thanks in advance...
 
  • #38
I liked this short one by Ramana Maharshi: Who am I? (Nan yar?)

http://www.messagefrommasters.com/Ebooks/Ramana_Maharshi_Books/Who_Am_I.pdf
 
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  • #39
I would say Billions and Billions by Carl Sagan. It is a great science influential books. Also tackles some philosophical questions
 

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