Where Can I Download Free Science Books?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the availability of free science books, particularly in the fields of physics, mathematics, and computer science. Participants share links to various resources and express their opinions on the legality and quality of the materials available.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants share links to websites offering free science books, noting that some of the books are of good quality.
  • Concerns are raised about the legality of the downloads, with some suggesting that redistribution may be prohibited but that the books are meant to be downloaded legally.
  • Participants discuss specific textbooks, such as "Quantum Field Theory" by Ryder, with differing opinions on its suitability as an introductory text.
  • There are mentions of the need for caution when sharing links, emphasizing that only legally available downloads should be included.
  • Some participants express appreciation for the shared resources, indicating that they find them useful for studying and preparing for exams.
  • Discussion includes a humorous note about a controversial phrase in one of the recommended texts, reflecting on its appropriateness for various audiences.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a mix of agreement and disagreement regarding the legality of the resources shared, as well as differing opinions on the quality and appropriateness of specific textbooks. The discussion remains unresolved on some points, particularly concerning the legality of certain downloads.

Contextual Notes

Some links provided may lack explicit copyright statements, leading to uncertainty about their legal status. Additionally, there are varying interpretations of the appropriateness of certain content in educational materials.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students and educators looking for free resources in physics, mathematics, and computer science, as well as those interested in the legality and quality of educational materials available online.

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are these legal?
 
Usually redistribution seems to be prohibited, but they are meant to be downloaded, legally and for free, from where their authors want them to be downloaded.
 
Nice links. Thanks very much.
 
You'll find lots of great, classic textbooks from this archive:

http://www.archive.org/details/texts

They seem to have their copyrights expired, due to the age of original publication, so I think they are all legal. Still very useful for most purposes.
 
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The books are great. Thanks for sharing those wonderful links.
 
There are 2 old books (Messiah and Cohen-Tannoudji et al.) and one (very) new one (Manoukian) which are very thick and full of information. But no, even all 3 of them together don't add up to 5000 pages...:D
 
  • #10
Is "Quantum Field Theory" by Ryder a good introductory book on qft?
 
  • #11
I'd say it's an excellent book on QFT, but make sure you read Griffiths's particle phyiscs text b4.
 
  • #12
dextercioby said:
I'd say it's an excellent book on QFT, but make sure you read Griffiths's particle phyiscs text b4.

Is Griffith's book "An Intorduction to Quantum Mechanics" or is it called something else?
 
  • #13
No its called "Introduction to elementary particles"
 
  • #14
malawi_glenn said:
No its called "Introduction to elementary particles"

griffiths did write a few books... to clarify the last post i believe was saying that the book by griffiths about elementary particles should not be confused with his intro to QM book. he did write that also. hope that helps.
 
  • #15
  • #16
When posting links in this thread, please ensure that only LEGALLY available downloads are included on the site. If a site doesn't have an explicit statement regarding copyright policy on the books offered (i.e., permission from the publisher to read but not redistribute, or only offering books that are old enough to be out of copyright, or have been made available with permission from the publisher/author), we're going to take the cautious approach of deleting the link.
 
  • #17
nice topic
also i recommended this
www.motionmountain.net
download a very nice text(pdf format) in physics and math with history
 
  • #18


Sadly, the following phrase on the front page is a stumbling block with parents and school boards:

"Exploring these questions with this text will provide at least as much pleasure as making love."

The more conservative parents and board members would likely wonder what a phrase like that is doing in a book targeted toward "...curious men, women, boys and girls."
 
  • #19


This is an excellent book, thanks for posting it :)
 
  • #20


ks_physicist said:
Sadly, the following phrase on the front page is a stumbling block with parents and school boards:

"Exploring these questions with this text will provide at least as much pleasure as making love."

The more conservative parents and board members would likely wonder what a phrase like that is doing in a book targeted toward "...curious men, women, boys and girls."

Yeah. I am not conservative by any means, but even I am wondering why the hell one would put that statement there. :smile:
 
  • #21


Thanks. I see the site also hosts many other texts in other fields.
 
  • #22


ks_physicist said:
Sadly, the following phrase on the front page is a stumbling block with parents and school boards:

"Exploring these questions with this text will provide at least as much pleasure as making love."

The more conservative parents and board members would likely wonder what a phrase like that is doing in a book targeted toward "...curious men, women, boys and girls."

maybe it comes from Feynman:

"Physics is like sex: sure, it may give some practical results, but that's not why we do it."
 
  • #23
Free physics textbook/material

Could someone please give some sources where we can obtain free physics textbooks. Also could somebody please tell me good physics websites that give you interesting and understandable information and some computer websites that help you learn about them from the basics to the higher levels.
 
  • #24


Many thanks rakesh_kpn, this should be really useful for me!
 
  • #25


Thanks! It's looks very usefull for me
 
  • #26
thanks
 
  • #27
kool i must save this page.. very nice indeed and if someone could pass for me a lectures writes by professors it would be so nice..
 
  • #28
Thanks !
 
  • #29
Yes, good way of spending my time during boring lessons!
 
  • #30
Thanks man
 

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