Winter Break Reading: Tom's Recommended List

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Students are sharing their reading lists during the break, highlighting a mix of academic and engaging literature. One participant is enjoying "Classic Feynman" and Kline's "Calculus," appreciating its wordy yet insightful approach. They also recommend Isaac Asimov's "Understanding Physics" for its historical context, which adds depth to the study of physics. Another user is nearing completion of "Hitch-22" and plans to finish "Matterhorn," alongside excitement for "The Smartest Book in the World" by a favorite comedian. They recently completed Feynman's "QED," praising it as essential reading for physics students. Overall, the discussion emphasizes a blend of rigorous and enjoyable texts that enhance understanding and appreciation of science and literature.
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Hope all you students are enjoying the break. What's on your reading list?

-I'm working through Feynman's "Classic Feynman" which has been very enjoyable, as well as trudging through Kline's Calculus. It is rather wordy, but I like the approach it has. I also just discovered 'Understanding Physics' by Isaac Asimov. It certainly isn't a rigorous text, but I really enjoy the historical background he gives, and he really brings the history of physics alive for me. It's a nice departure from the purely quantitative treatment of science, and gives a nice perspective.

I was also going to give Lisa Randall's books a look, starting with Warped Passages.

-Tom
 
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I'm just about done with Hitch-22. Next up I plan to finish Matterhorn which I stopped half way through last year.
 
The Smartest Book in the World. I cannot wait to read it as it was written by a very intelligent stand up comedian, one of my favorites in fact.
 
I finished Feynman's QED earlier this week. What a remarkable little book, should be part of the (under)grad physics curriculum really.
 
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