Which classical mechanics textbook should a beginner start with?
Start with a book that derives the Newtonian, Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulations side by side and shows how they connect. No-Nonsense Classical Mechanics does that, with annotated step-by-step calculations, and its appendices cover the Taylor series, the Legendre transform and Lagrange multipliers. A comparison with Taylor, Goldstein, Kleppner and Morin is on the best classical mechanics textbooks page.
Which quantum mechanics book should I read first?
For a first pass, pick a book that explains where the Schrödinger equation and the canonical commutation relations come from before it starts on problem sets. No-Nonsense Quantum Mechanics is written for that first pass. Griffiths, Shankar, Sakurai and Townsend are compared on the best quantum mechanics books for beginners page.
Is No-Nonsense Quantum Mechanics a replacement for Griffiths?
It can be read before Griffiths or next to it. Griffiths is built around a lecture course with many exercises; No-Nonsense Quantum Mechanics spends its pages on what the equations mean and on how the alternative formulations connect to the wave description. The Griffiths alternative page compares the two.
What math do I need before reading the books?
Single-variable and multivariable calculus and basic linear algebra. Each book has appendices for the extra tools it uses: the Legendre transform and Lagrange multipliers in Classical Mechanics, vector calculus in Electrodynamics, and the Fourier transform and delta distribution in Quantum Mechanics.
In which order should I read the four books?
Classical Mechanics, then Electrodynamics, then Quantum Mechanics, then Quantum Field Theory. Quantum mechanics reuses the Hamiltonian formalism from classical mechanics, and quantum field theory combines quantum mechanics with the field and gauge ideas from electrodynamics. The blog post on study order explains each step.
Can I learn quantum field theory on my own?
Yes, if you are comfortable with quantum mechanics, special relativity and the Lagrangian formalism first. No-Nonsense Quantum Field Theory works through Feynman diagrams and scattering amplitudes step by step. The QFT self-study guide lists what to read before and after it.
Are the books suitable for self-study?
Yes. Every calculation is annotated line by line, key equations are highlighted, and sidenotes repeat the facts you need at the point you need them, so you do not depend on a lecturer to fill gaps. Each book also ends with recommendations for further reading.
What format is the eBook?
The eBook is a PDF, sold and delivered through Gumroad. One licence covers one reader on any number of devices. Prices are on the pricing page.
Do I get new editions for free?
Yes. eBook buyers receive a free digital copy of every later edition of the book they bought.
Can I get a refund?
eBooks bought through this website can be refunded within 30 days of purchase. Paperbacks bought on Amazon follow Amazon's return policy.
Where can I buy the paperback?
On Amazon. Links for each title are on the pricing page and on each book page.
Who writes the books?
Jakob Schwichtenberg, a theoretical physicist and the author of Physics from Symmetry. More on the about page.