Physics book: what's worth reading?

[Comfortably Dumb]

Haven't read many science books since finishing my a-levels and feel it's time to get back into physics.

What's been published in the last 10 years that I 'have' to read?

[Eric Mc]

What type of physics - dull boring stuff like motion and basic principles or sexy stuff like the big bang and cosmology?

[RacerMDR]

i've heard a guy called I. Newton wrote some good stuff. Might be slightly out of date now.....you should look him up

[Comfortably Dumb]

Sexy! Did enough of the boring stufinsuring my engineering degree and didn't have time to keep up with the sexy stuff as a result.

Loved both subatomic and astro during my physics a-level. Not scared of a few numbers being included but can't sit reading textbooks.

I'm guessing there are many books exploring the search for the Higgs-boson and other on going research at CERN are there any that stand out?

[m1dg3]

If you're looking for popular science then one of the best I've read is 'Afterglow of Creation' by Marcus Chown about the discovery of the cosmic background radiation. You can't go wrong with Feynman either.

Not from the last ten years but A-level barely gets you into the 20th century physics-wise.

[tank slapper]

Why Does E=mc2? by Brian Cox and Jeff Forshaw is very good.

[Comfortably Dumb]

tank slapper said:

Why Does E=mc2? by Brian Cox and Jeff Forshaw is very good.

With his popularity isn't cox's stuff a little to simplified? I.e 'We're not going too mention the maths' etc

Guess it could be a good starting point to reintroduce me to the basics before tackling some more complex works.

[Comfortably Dumb]

tank slapper said:

Why Does E=mc2? by Brian Cox and Jeff Forshaw is very good.

With his popularity isn't cox's stuff a little too simplified? I.e 'We're not going to mention the maths' etc

Guess it could be a good starting point to reintroduce me to the basics before tackling some more complex works.

[crofty1984]

tank slapper said:

Why Does E=mc2? by Brian Cox and Jeff Forshaw is very good.

I'm reading that now. Hard to follow in places, but I'm getting there. Interesting though. Not a textbook style book. Just walking you through step by step.

[FeatherZ]

Start with Stephen Hawking : A Brief History Of Time, brilliant and I'm halfway through it at the moment.

I do want to read some boring stuff too though, if anyone has some suggestions.

[DayTrader]

FeatherZ said:

Start with Stephen Hawking : A Brief History Of Time, brilliant and I'm halfway through it at the moment.

I do want to read some boring stuff too though, if anyone has some suggestions.

That's what I said

This if you haven't already read it:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0593056973/ref=...

[tank slapper]

Comfortably Dumb said:

With his popularity isn't cox's stuff a little to simplified? I.e 'We're not going too mention the maths' etc

Guess it could be a good starting point to reintroduce me to the basics before tackling some more complex works.

I wouldn't say it's too simplified, at least not to the extent his TV programmes are. I think they struck a good balance between including the maths for those who understand it and not relying too heavily on it for those that don't.

[TheHeretic]

One I read a few years back was 'The Science of Star Trek" by Krauss. Superb book, and not as nerdy as you would think. It merely talks about the reality, and possibility of the things in the show. Really good read. He has a book released tomorrow called "A Universe from Nothing" which if Nything like the talk will be fascinating.

[carmonk]

QED - Richard Feynman. Sounds boring but is amazing, if short

The Elegant Universe - Brian Greene

[Tim330]

If it's for getting back into it this would be a good introduction

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Black-Holes-Wormholes-Time...

I have a signed copy from University in 2001, the author has done a few BBC4 documentaries.

Edited by Tim330 on Tuesday 10th January 20:10

[TheHeretic]

carmonk said:

QED - Richard Feynman. Sounds boring but is amazing, if short

The Elegant Universe - Brian Greene

On that note, and not a physics book, but by Feynman anyway;

"You must be joking, Mr. Feynman". Superb read!

[julianm]

Forget the 10 year thing. Read this

[tjg16v]

I've enjoyed Why does E=mc2 and How to teach quantum physics to your dog. How to teach quantum....... is written in such a clever way using analogy and metaphor from the perspective of an inquisitive Dog that the weirdest of theories become that bit more accesible, throughly recommended.
I'm currently reading Stephen hawkings Grand design, enjoying that so far. Once i've finished that I have The quantum universe by Cox and Fulshaw, The little book of string theory by Steven S. Gubser and knocking on heavens door by Lisa Randall al sat on my bookshelf ready to go.

[New POD]

Tom Duncan Wrote the best book? I've still got my A level Text Book 26 years on, and recently lent it to my son, who used it for his A level - he got an A star so I guess he managed to avoid the bits that might have been disproved.

[philis]

I picked this up at a charity book sale at Pontefract general a few years ago, i think it cost 50p.
I can honestly say its fantastic, The world treasury of Physics Astronomy and mathmatics. It details the storys behind the science rather than going too deep into the theorys and completely loosing you, theres a great chapter on Dirac

http://www.amazon.co.uk/World-Treasury-Physics-Ast...