Good Books

David W. Henderson, Differential Geometry: A Geometric Introduction(1988) -- FIZ 516.36 1988 Lots of concrete, visual examples. Parallel transport and geodisics explained physically and concretely. John R. Acton and Patrick T. Squire, Solving Equations with Physical Understanding(1985) -- FIZ 530.15535 1985 SOL Solves lots of simple differential equations "intuitively". J. F. Cornwell, Group Theory in Physics Volumes 1,2,3 (1984) -- FIZ 530.15222 1984 GRO From the basics of group theory, through Grassman Algebra, to string theory. Marc J. Rochkind, Advanced Unix Programming (1985) -- FIZ 005.44 1985 ADV Shows the nuts and bolts of building a shell in unix. Forking explained clearly. Robert B. Griffiths, Consistent Quantum Theory (2002) -- FIZ 530.12 2002 QUA One of the best books on quantum theory I have read. Griffiths makes use of "toy models" which he uses to explain difficult concepts clearly. Explains quantum histories and why they must be consistent. If P(SX) is the proposition that "a spin points in the x direction", then Griffiths more or less proves that the logical conjuction P(SX) AND P(SZ) is neither true nor false, but instead "meaningless", for quantum 1/2 spin. Griffiths uses a toy model to explain the bizzare features of the two-slit experiment. Has a good discussion of Bell's Theorem. Explains how a "hidden classical variables" theory must include (spooky) non-locality if it is to account for quantum correlations. Louis N. Hand and Janet D. Finch, Analytical Mechanics (Cambridge University Press, 1998) -- FIZ 531.0151535 1998 ANA Explains holonomic and non-holonomic with easy to understand examples. Makes it clear that the Euler-Lagrange equation is valid (only) for conserivative, holonomic systems. Makes a good attempt at explaining the Legendre transformation and why it is done. Has a section on "Theoretical Mechanics" which I am yet to explore. Explains Neother's theorem clearly.