4 comments about Quantum Physics (Essential Science Series).

1. I have read several books on Quantum physics and I have never come accross such clear explanations on some strange concepts ranging from black body radiation to QED and Quantum teleportation. And in only 70 pages! I think Gribbin's strength is in its ability to explain advanced concepts from the layman's point of view.



2. If this is the first time you've heard the words "quantum physics," then maybe you will get something out of this book. If you have the slightest familiarity with the subject, such as having read a science periodical article about it, this book is probably a waste of your time. Much of it is not very useful graphics and text blocks, and the actual narrative is sparse and overly simplistic. I have enjoyed most of Gribben's books, which is why I bought this one, it was a real disappointment...and a waste of money.



3. Was looking for a really patient basic book that would be as passionate as it was informative.... this volume was neither....



4. The only audience which should consider this book is those who have a sincere interest in science but very little or no knowledge of quantum mechanics. Such readers can casually browse through this book and get a feel for how bizarre and interesting quantum mechanics is, thus whetting their appetite for further study. However, the book is very short, and it therefore lacks the depth and details needed to provide a meaningful understanding of the subject even at the popular science level. Most novices would therefore be better off skipping this book entirely and, instead, reading a more substantial book at the popular level, of which there are many. Readers beyond the novice level would definitely be better off skipping this book -- even for review purposes, they would find the book to be too superficial to be useful.

No comments about Space, Time and Quanta.

1 comments about Open Questions in Relativistic Physics.

1. After several decades of acceptance of both special and general relativity teories without any appreciable criticism, a correct understanding of both theories has revealed the existence of several *arbitrary ingredients*. In this book, starting from the analysis of Sagnac effect, several authors discuss the *OPEN QUESTIONS IN RELATIVITY*. It is remarkable the attention given to the philosophical discussion on the implications of relativity in the description of the laws of nature. This book should be in evidence in every physics library.

No comments about Quantum (Un)speakables.

No comments about Quantum Field Theory: A Modern Perspective (Graduate Texts in Contemporary Physics).

5 comments about Quantum Mechanics.

1. This is an intermediate level undergraduate textbook which is distinguished by the author's serious interest in interpretational issues, e.g. EPR, Schrodinger's Cat, 'quantum consciousness.' I say 'serious' because he is discussing these issues within the context of a fairly complete introduction to Quantum Mechanics. However, the book is caught (in a catch-22) between more advanced (and abstract) treatments and the 'wave mechanics' approach. Students not already familiar with some of the details may have trouble filling in what the author has left out. Advanced students will want a more abstract development. Thus, the book may be more useful as a reference on topics not usually treated at this level.



2. This is a fairly complete treatment of QM. The only downside is that it is somewhat too advanced for an intro to the subject, but not rigorous enough for an advanced treatment. However, I used this book as a "backup" to Sakurai in a graduate level QM course. In that role it was flawless. It could also be used as a supplement to Griffith's QM book (which is extremely good but has some logical/mathematical flaws). In this case it would be serving as an "advanced" introduction.



3. An excellent introduction to QM by an expert in this subject, with also foundational issues covered, its probably the best intro QM book ever written along with Griffith, it makes you think and excite about QM unlike any other drab QM book.
   Not only does this book equip the reader with operational tools but also covers epistemological aspects of it.
   A MUST BUY FOR ANY ASPIRING PHYSICIST, ALSO FOR ONE AIMING TO DO WELL IN THE PHYSICS QUALIFIERS.



4. This is perhaps the worst textbook I have ever read. I love quantum mechanics, but Goswami's treatment of the subject is incomprehensible. The problems are frequently wrong, the prose is unreadable, and the mathematics is unrigorous. I've had this textbook for two semesters and I can't say one good thing about it. I would rather be torn apart by a pack of wolves than open it again. Avoid this book at all costs, as it is not possible to learn Quantum Mechanics from it. Try Liboff's book instead, or virtually anything else.



5. Had this text for an Intro to QM course - not a good choice for the "Intro" part. Goswami covers all the bases but his organization of material seems a little discombobulated. I can see this text being reasonable for a second QM course, but not as an intro. Griffiths or Liboff is better for this purpose.

2 comments about Quantum Theory and Measurement (Princeton Series in Physics).

1. This is a must-own collection for anyone studying or working in quantum physics. These are the original papers concerning the so-called problem of measurement. Minority views are included; for instance, both parts of Bohm's 1952 paper are here. Not only physicists, but also historians and philosophers of science, will want to read these papers.



2. Includes the EPR paper, Schroedinger's cat paper, and many others.
   My only quibble is that, because the book was written in 1983, the
   Alain Aspect paper included is a very early one in the series.
   
   The other book on this subject which I whole-heartedly recommend in
   "Speakable and Unspeakable in Quantum Mechanics" by J. Bell.

No comments about Quantum Chaos: An Introduction.

1 comments about Lasers (Wiley Series in Pure and Applied Optics).

1. The hardest part about writing any scientific textbook is balancing readability with volume of content. Generally, authors fall into two categories: those including far too much material and those presuming too much prior knowledge on the part of the reader. Milonni and Eberly have found the perfect compromise in LASERS. While an excellent advanced undergrad or intermediate grad. text, it isn't as exhaustive as Siegman's LASERS. On the other hand, it contains peripheral material about non-linear optics which many texts on lasers should include, but don't. LASERS is perfect for proceeding further with more in depth studies of advanced topics in lasers (as treated in Siegman). There are only 2 faults I can find with the book: one is technical, the other editorial. In the technical area, its discussion of Q-switching is a bit trite and shallow. A topic as important as this should receive a little more attention. It would be nice to see an updated volume reflecting recent advances in technology. The authors did such a nice job the first time around, it shouldn't take alot of effort to include perhaps one more chapter on current trends in lasers.

No comments about Dark Matter In The Universe.