What is the best Quantum Field Theory book for self-study?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on recommendations for a Quantum Field Theory (QFT) textbook suitable for self-study. Participants share their experiences with various texts, including Zee, Peskin, and Srednicki. The user expresses a preference for Peskin's problem sets but finds his presentation lacking, while Srednicki's elegant derivations are appreciated despite his notation and problem quality. The consensus leans towards Srednicki being the best option for graduate-level study due to its detailed computations and helpful problem sets, along with the availability of a solutions manual. However, Zee's writing style is noted for its engaging tone, although some find it challenging due to its less rigorous approach. Overall, Srednicki is recommended for its comprehensiveness and suitability for self-learners.
6eecs
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Hi, I'd like to ask recommendation for a QFT book. I have seen several other recommendations on this forum, but hopefully I'll provide enough info
so you guys can have more specific advice.

Background: QM (Griffiths, some parts of Sakurai), GR (Carroll), some residue calculus/lorentz-poincare group.

I am currently using Zee/Peskin/Srednicki, but I am debating to which one to use as a main text (which I read very carefully) because I am moving very slowly if I read all of them well.
This is for self-study. I like the problems in Peskin, but I don't like his presentation at all.
On the other hand, I don't like the problems in srednicki, especially his notation, but his derivations are more elegant and compact and detailed.
 
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I have the same background as you more or less and I started with Zee (still working through it) mainly because the jump to Srednicki would have been too steep. I asked the same question you did a while back so you may or may not find this useful: https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=499149
 
Actually, I find Zee hard because he handwaves his way through, which makes some stuff difficult to follow. Srednicki to some extent has been easier on me b/c he actually explicitly computes stuff out.
 
6eecs said:
Actually, I find Zee hard because he handwaves his way through, which makes some stuff difficult to follow. Srednicki to some extent has been easier on me b/c he actually explicitly computes stuff out.

I agree about Zee. At the graduate level, I think Srednicki is the best single book out there right now, but it is in no way an easy book.
 
Yeah I can see what you mean. I must admit the problems in Srednicki's text have been a lot more helpful not to mention there is a full solutions manual for it online which makes it that much more suited for self - study. I guess I just like the tone that Zee writes with.
 
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