Other What Are Your Favorite Textbooks for Chemical Engineering?

[Demystifier]

On the other hand mathematicians don't like practical things. So why should he have a practical book?

But they don't like physics either (because it's too practical, compared to math). It is also known that mathematicians are more religious than scientists are, so could it be the Bible?

 

[Mondayman]

Me too. I have much more books than I will ever be able to read.

It's a compounding issue as well. For every one book I read or work through, I order ten more from amazon. Particularly the old used hardcopies that people sell for dirt cheap.

 

[jasonRF]

It's a compounding issue as well. For every one book I read or work through, I order ten more from amazon. Particularly the old used hardcopies that people sell for dirt cheap.

I have the same problem. I try to justify it to myself this way: the cheap used copies of old books are typically the cost of a magazine or two, so if I get a magazine worth of enjoyment from it then it was a good purchase. The books I order are often books that I cannot get from my work library so I haven't had an opportunity to look through them; if they aren't worth keeping I give them away (just like discarding a magazine). Expensive books are a different story, of course ...

 

[S.G. Janssens]

On the other hand mathematicians don't like practical things.

But they don't like physics either (because it's too practical, compared to math).

My favorite books are about mathematics that is both practical and beautiful. It makes me very happy when I see that these two qualities align, but it seems rare.

 

[Demystifier]

My favorite books are about mathematics that is both practical and beautiful. It makes me very happy when I see that these two qualities align, but it seems rare.

Some examples?

 

[S.G. Janssens]

Some examples?

1. Finite-dimensional Perron-Frobenius theory in Matrix Analysis and Linear Algebra (2000) by Meyer
2. Functional Analysis (2nd edition, 1982) by Kantorovich and Akilov
3. Volume I of An Introduction to Probability Theory and its Applications (3rd edition, 1968) by Feller (a Croatian giant)
4. An Introduction to Numerical Analysis (2nd edition, 1989) by Atkinson
...

Maybe it is not as rare as I thought

EDIT: For those less familiar with these subjects, let me briefly indicate one practical topic as it appears in each of the above references 1-3, assuming that for 4 this is obvious.

1. Google's PageRank algorithm.
2. The Newton-Kantorovich theorem for the iterative solution of nonlinear systems, used in e.g. bifurcation theory and optimization.
3. Discrete probabilistic models (such as Markov chains) in statistical mechanics and macroeconomics.

Of course each book contains many more topics than just these. Also, there are relationships. For example, the algebraic treatment of Markov Chains relies heavily on Perron-Frobenius theory.

 

[Demystifier]

3. Volume I of An Introduction to Probability Theory and its Applications (3rd edition, 1968) by Feller (a Croatian giant)

I am a Croat, but I had no idea that Feller was a Croat too. Thank you for that information, you made my day.

 

[SredniVashtar]

I have the same problem. I try to justify it to myself this way: the cheap used copies of old books are typically the cost of a magazine or two, so if I get a magazine worth of enjoyment from it then it was a good purchase.

So, it's true! I do have a twin brother out there in the world!
This "it costs like a magazine" is driving me broke. The 0.01 pounds books on Amazon, which turn out to be less than 5 euro shipped at home are too big a temptation to be able to resist. And now I also have to spend money for an additional bookshelf (maybe two).
I have never bought that many magazines in the first place!

There is a silver lining to this compulsive disorder though: when I am faced with some sugary or high cholesterol treat my brain goes "Wait, this will cost you as much as a physics book from the 60s! What would you rather have?".

Books: food for the mind.

 

[Logical Dog]

Books on computer (picture):

Books in hardcopy:
what is mathematics? R. Courant.
Schaums outlines of logic.
Book of proof.
How to prove it.
How to study for a mathematics degree (lol). lara alcock
How to think about analysis. lara alcock.
Schaums outline of computer architecture.
A level physics book.
A level maths, mechanics modules books.
Introduction to mathematical philosophy, Bertrand Russel.
Elias zakons lecture notes. they are free and can be found here: http://www.trillia.com/products.html
Discrete mathematics normal L biggs.

 

[Demystifier]

Books on computer ...

And they are all, of course, acquired legally.