Book Description
This best-selling classical mechanics text, written for the advanced undergraduate one- or two-semester course, provides a complete account of the classical mechanics of particles, systems of particles, and rigid bodies. Vector calculus is used extensively to explore topics.The Lagrangian formulation of mechanics is introduced early to show its powerful problem solving ability.. Modern notation and terminology are used throughout in support of the text's objective: to facilitate students' transition to advanced physics and the mathematical formalism needed for the quantum theory of physics. CLASSICAL DYNAMICS OF PARTICLES AND SYSTEMS can easily be used for a one- or two-semester course, depending on the instructor's choice of topics.
Customer Reviews:
I doubt students using this text can tackle dynamics.......2007-04-28
I doubt students using this text will be as capable in tackling dynamics problems as one would assume. Give the Physics student fed on a regular diet of this book one of those swirling, mechanical-arm problems and they'll probably be dead in the waters. This is probably one of those books that create the illusion of mastery rather than develop real skills.
Springer has a real good series on classical mechanics nowadays. That's my tip.
Disclaimer: gave up on this book and never really used it, because I think it sucks and life is too short.
worst textbook I ever had.......2007-02-03
This book is one of the reasons why I am now a math phd student, rather than a physics phd student. Unfortunately, physics departments stick to the same awful books, when they really ought to know better. It doesn't matter how much math you know--I was a senior math major. You can follow everything that is written in this book and still not learn much because the book hardly contains any real knowledge. Very little physical insight will be found here, unless you think about it for yourself and come up with your own explanations. The idea of actually understanding anything seems to be completely missing. The problems are often tedious, involving excessive computations (not that some of that isn't appropriate), with a few exceptions. Not a good textbook or reference. If you don't at least question this book, you will miss out, big time--I promise.
If you have the misfortune of having this as a text, please, at least try reading something else. Feynman's lectures cover some of the material at an elementary level. V. I. Arnold's Mathematical Methods of Classical Mechanics might be worth taking a look at, although it requires some mathematical sophistication for a full appreciation.
This book is a real dissaster!!!.......2007-01-29
I used this book for Classical Mechanics and Classical Dynamics, and was a complete waste of time and money, the explanation of the topics is very superficial, and the mathematics are very poorly. However, the book is well organized, because clearly it develop a line of thought that an undergraduated student can follow, nonetheless the develop of this line of thought is a real dissaster. In conclusion, please look for another book, don't buy this piece of sh... Sorry, but I'm really dissapointed with this book. I had to buy another five books to complete what at last is the real classical dynamics.
P.S.: Beg your pardon if there is any grammar error, I'm not a native English Speaker.
Know's its place.......2006-09-02
This semester is my first in grad school and we're starting into Goldstein and I'm using Marion for review and backfill. The really negative opinions on this page are over done. AND so are the really positive reviews.
Overall the book is just great for an undergrad who won't be going on to the PhD or masters. But once you're in one of these programs you may find yourself reaching for it to make sure you've got your basics covered.
Hopefully Thornton will upgrade the book and not dumb it down as time goes on. A layered approach usually works.
A shame..........2006-04-29
People who read this book carefully will find that many of the examples in the book contain flawed reasoning. The sloppy logic often leads one to understand certain concepts in a wrong way. The book does have lots of long-winded mathematical derivations, but they don't really add to the reader's physical insight. (eg. in chapter 11, some simple linear algebra that can be done in three lines are instead derived in pages of summations and index swap)
This book is a disgrace to the teaching of physics. Its tedious, sometimes illegitimate algebra spoils the elegance of classical mechanics. Compare it with Landau, and you will see the point.
Book Description
The book you hold in your hands is revolutionary, a groundbreaking exploration of the science of intention. It is also the first book to invite you, the reader, to take an active part in its original research. Drawing on the findings of leading scientists on human consciousness from around the world, The Intention Experiment demonstrates that thought is a thing that affects other things. Thought generates its own palpable energy that you can use to improve your life, to help others around you, and to change the world.
In The Intention Experiment, internationally bestselling author Lynne McTaggart, an award-winning science journalist and leading figure in the human consciousness studies community, presents a gripping scientific detective story and takes you on a mind-blowing journey to the farthest reaches of consciousness. She profiles the colorful pioneers in intention science and works with a team of renowned scientists from around the world, including physicist Fritz-Albert Popp of the International Institute of Biophysics and Dr. Gary Schwartz, professor of psychology, medicine, and neurology at the University of Arizona, to determine the effects of focused group intention on scientifically quantifiable targets -- animal, plant, and human.
The Intention Experiment builds on the discoveries of McTaggart's first book, international bestseller The Field: The Quest for the Secret Force of the Universe, which documented discoveries that point to the existence of a quantum energy field. The Field created a picture of an interconnected universe and a scientific explanation for many of the most profound human mysteries, from alternative medicine and spiritual healing to extrasensory perception and the collective unconscious. The Intention Experiment shows you myriad ways that all this information can be incorporated into your life.
After narrating the exciting developments in the science of intention, McTaggart offers a practical program to get in touch with your own thoughts, to increase the activity and strength of your intentions, and to begin achieving real change in your life. After you've begun to realize the amazing potential of focused intention, and the times when it is most powerful, McTaggart invites you to participate in an unprecedented experiment: Using The Intention Experiment website to coordinate your involvement and track results, you and other participants around the world will focus your power of intention on specific targets, giving you the opportunity to become a part of scientific history.
The Intention Experiment redefines what a book does. It is the first "living" book in three dimensions. The book's text and website are inextricably linked, forming the hub of an entirely self-funded research program, the ultimate aim of which is philanthropic. An original piece of scientific investigation that involves the reader in its quest, The Intention Experiment explores human thought and intention as a tangible energy -- an inexhaustible but simple resource with an awesome potential to focus our lives, heal our illnesses, clean up our communities, and improve the planet.
The Intention Experiment also forces you to rethink what it is to be human. As it proves, we're connected to everyone and everything, and that discovery demands that we pay better attention to our thoughts, intentions, and actions. Here's how you can.
Customer Reviews:
FASCINATING..........2007-10-02
"The Intention Experiment" by Lynn Taggart provides fascinating insights on intentional living. This book shows you how thought can affect your life. In essence thought is an energy that has the potential to transform your own life as well as help others.
Focused group intention is also shown to be a highly powerful tool in affecting animals, plants and humans.
Also, the reader is invited to become involved in a rearch experiment about the power of human thought.
My most recent favorite New Age books that highlight self-empowerment and life transformation are:
The Secret
Nexus: A Neo Novel
Wow!.......2007-09-26
This book has a wonderful compilation of scientific studies about intention! It is very easy to read and understand. I was amazed at the
scientific research that has been completed in this area, and even more
surprised that so few of us are aware of this research.
Enjoy.
Fantastic.......2007-09-13
You may believe the reports in the book or you might just be a blind defender of the "offcial" science, but in both cases this is a book to read.
I will suggest it to all my friends.
Advancing the body of knowledge.......2007-09-10
This is a wonderful book, bringing forth highly complex knowledge in a digestible form. It helps if the reader is analytical by nature. Thank you to Lynne Taggart for her writing style and depth of coverage of the topic. I am learning from this book how and why prayer works.
Could You Imagine?.......2007-09-10
Picture this... A World with Peace, a World with Love, A World where EVERYONE has enough. If I am to understand what Lynne McTaggart is saying here, then I am to understand that a simple change in Our Collective thoughts 'could' change Our World. Peace, Love, Harmony. Groovy.
Amazon.com
Explore new worlds without booking a flight! In Adventures Beyond the Body, William Buhlman recounts his fascinating experiences with astral travel, connects this phenomenon with current cosmological theories, and suggests that we all have the capability to travel to parallel universes. Don't worry about getting lost--Adventures is filled with well mapped methods for finding your way out of your body and into other worlds. Control is Buhlman's mantra, specifically control over our fear of the unknown. He precisely addresses the common events that can occur during an out-of-body experience, taking the fear out of the journey, and allowing you to focus on living the adventure. --Brian Patterson
Book Description
Explore new worlds . . .
If you ever wondered what might lie beyond the reality we experience every day, if you've ever thrilled to accounts of out-of-body travel and longer to go alone for the ride, this fascinating, practical guide is for you. America's leading expert on out-of-body travel tells the riveting story of his travels to other realms and offers easy-to-use techniques to guide you on your journey of a lifetime'and beyond.
Travel into parallel realities . . .
William Buhlman has trained out-of-body travelers in his workshop for more than a decade, teaching people how to project their consciousness outside the limits of their physical bodies and to explore dimensions and worlds beyond everyday life. Now he vividly recounts how own adventures in the parallel universe described in the new-physics theories of Stephen Hawkins, Paul Davies, and Fred Alan Wolf and presents his step-by-step guide to astral travel'including exercises, tips, techniques, and answers to your every question about out-of-body experiences.
And discover surprising truths about reality, past lives, the soul, and life after death.
Astral travel, Buhlman reveals, not only can expand your conscious'it can help verify the existence of the soul, teach you about past lives, and enhance your daily life. Find out in this compelling handbook for everyone who wants to venture beyond the body and take the ultimate trip.
Customer Reviews:
Wow what a book.......2007-08-15
this has to be one of the most facinating books I've ever read, William Buhlman really knows this subject well, thank you Mr. Buhlman for a
fantistic book, I can't wait to start my own journey, hope to see you out there!!!
Repetitive But Highly Recommended.......2007-08-01
The bad: (1) very repetitive. (2) puts journal entries in there that are NO WAY actual entries... it's as if he just needed a way to mix up the otherwise rather dull text. (3) states things as fact a bit much... no discussion about, say, maybe these experiences are just lucid dreams with excellent recall? (That's what I view them as until such time as I can experience it all for myself).
The good: if you want to have an OBE or lucid dream, he gives a zillion different things to try: more suggestions of techniques than I've seen in any other single book... (not that I've read them all, mind you). For this reason, it's highly recommended: let's face it: you're probably looking for a book that will help you have an OBE... I think this book will help you in that pursuit more than probably just about any other single book out there.
The Best "How To" Book for Your Traveling Experience.......2007-07-08
William Buhlman has not only written a book that captivates you from the start with his own fantastic experiences of out-of-body travel, he has taken great care to give end of chapter points that help the reader remember the important stuff.
Buhlman approaches his subject with a positive thrust, not with any of the scary warnings that some other writers use. He clearly knows "who he is" and helps the reader come to understand that we are ALL powerful Beings that can do what he has done. He says right off that we do create our own experiences, so we must think positive to create a positive experience.
Chocked full of interesting and mind stretching experiences, this little book is devoid of extra padding that is useless to a reader. Buhlman sums up his final chapters with guided How To information, but also encourages the reader to explore even beyond the writer's experiences. He firmly believes that "the world is your oyster" and you can create a wonderful, exciting life beyond the veil of flesh that we live here in the 3D world.
One of my library treasures, this book is a goldmine of information.
the ultimate secret! no f---ing way! hahaha woooow!.......2007-06-19
dude!!!!!!! how in the f--k is it possible for us to be able to do this?!! i dont think we are "just human beings"! my god, what exactly in the hell are we?! the main thing i cant stop thinking about is how does the entire world not know? I dont care how intellectual one may think they are; after this experience you will feel like you were an ape. hey, but this sh-t does get very scary tho, i must admit. there's a section in this book that aims on helping to conquer your fears.
un-be-f---ing-lievable!
woked for me.......2007-05-16
I baught this book several years ago and did have some results with lucid dreaming and out of body. Hope it works for you.
Book Description
This book first teaches learners how to do quantum mechanics, and then provides them with a more insightful discussion of what it means. Fundamental principles are covered, quantum theory presented, and special techniques developed for attacking realistic problems.
The book's two-part coverage organizes topics under basic theory, and assembles an arsenal of approximation schemes with illustrative applications.
For physicists and engineers.
Customer Reviews:
Emphasis on problems.......2007-09-04
How does Griffiths manage to cram such a comprehensive exploration of non-relativistic QM into such a small textbook? Nearly half of the material is explained only through doing the chapter problems. If you are a self-learner or looking for a reference, take a look at other texts such as Liboff before this one. If you are using this as part of an undergraduate class, get ready for some serious problem sets.
Fantastic First Book.......2007-07-27
The best introduction to quantum mechanics around, without doubt. Griffiths knows how to drive home the key concepts. Insufficient for a graduate student, but a highly desirable supplement to Shankar/Cohen-Tannoudji because Griffiths reminds you what is and what is not important concisely. There is no question that this book is brilliantly written. The smartest people are those who understand how to say things concisely and to the point, not pretentious people who hide behind equations and jargon because they cannot communicate ideas. Griffiths is obviously a very smart man.
This is written as a graduate physicist.
People who say that this book is insufficiently rigorous tend to be (but not necessarily) intellectual snobs who want to impress themselves and others by saying "Oh, Griffiths is too low level for me, I'm so great..." This is an INTRODUCTION, and that's what it serves to do...science was created by men based on intuition and logical clues, not by the gods of math (and I'd argue most of what is key in math came from mathematical clues and intuition before the proofs and notation...before derivatives and integrals were well defined, people were using them to solve physical problems).
Lots of subjects.......2007-05-15
A good book with lots of subjects but you need to listen to the instructor carefully and some theorems are just coming from somewhere that you dont understand...
Good choice as a first step.......2007-05-07
This is really a nice book to get a feeling about Quantum Mechanics. In just 450 pages, it covers most of the subject. Of course, with so few pages, you can't expect to see everything in depth.
The biggest quality Griffiths has, both in Introduction to Quantum Mechanics and Introduction to Electrodynamics, is developing a kind of physical intuition about the subject. The biggest flaw is a lack of mathematical rigour. Conserning this book, for example, I missed an axiomatic structure-like treatment of the theory. I would really recommend Cohen's book to anyone who wish to learn more.
Doesn't stand on its own........2007-04-28
I find example problems the most useful part of a science text book, and the ones in this book were very unhelpful. They did not prepare me at all for the problems in the book. It is not very clearly written and interspersed with jokes that do not make it easier to read. They're fairly extraneous. It's not detailed enough to be clear. I dont get a very good idea of the material from reading. Find a longer book.
Book Description
This didactically unrivalled textbook and timeless reference by Nobel Prize Laureate Claude Cohen-Tannoudji separates essential underlying principles of quantum mechanics from specific applications and practical examples and deals with each of them in a different section. Chapters emphasize principles; complementary sections supply applications. The book provides a qualitative introduction to quantum mechanical ideas; a systematic, complete and elaborate presentation of all the mathematical tools and postulates needed, including a discussion of their physical content and applications.
The book is recommended on a regular basis by lecturers of undergraduate courses.
Customer Reviews:
The solar-system-wide reference for Quantum Mechanics.......2007-05-26
Almost no words needs to be said about this masterwork.
And rare are serious students of quantum mechanics who could really afford to ignore it.
Several important techniques and recent developments are omitted, but having grasped the material presented in these two volumes, learning further about quantum mechanics will prove astonishingly straightforward.
A caution remark is in order, though : these books don't really suit to self-study, due to their sometimes rather lengthy, verbose exposition, which could well quickly fade away an initially strong motivation for studying quantum mechanics, if not bolstered by a teacher's or fellow student's incentives.
GOOD BOOK.......2007-03-09
Very good book for undergraduate or even graduate quantum mechanics. The book is very well organized and gives detailed explanations and examples of key quantum mechanical concepts. I would suggest that all undergraduates give it a try. It balances out importance of detail while maintaining clarity to give students a good understanding of the subject. Though it is a little hard to digest at first, that is just the nature of the subject. Once you become familiar with the basics of quantum mechanics, postulates, bra-ket etc this is a perfect book to learn from, or to go back as reference
Comprehensive.......2006-12-09
I'll keep this review short, unlike the 2-volume set on QM that I am reviewing here.
I used this text book for a two-semester graduate course in QM. Although lengthy, practically everything is in here. In that respect, it makes it difficult to pick out the key concepts. It is sort of the same problem when you try to learn relativity using Misner Thorne & Wheeler's book. Although I'd say that Cohen-Tannoudji's textbook is better organized. It may help if you read this book alongside a more concise book on the subject. A concise book will pick out the most important concepts for you, as well as help you with the homework problems. A good accompanyment I have in mind is Bransden & Jochain's textbook. Speaking of homework, I do not like how it is arranged in Cohen-Tannoudji. Say a professor decides to give you problems 1, 2 and 3 for a particular homework assignment, from some chapter. You think, "great, only three problems, no sweat, I'll do those a day or two before the due date." Trouble is, every problem has sections a, b, c, etc. and subsections i, ii, iii, etc. and within those sometimes sub-subsections alpha, beta, etc,--very frustrating! But if you sweat it out (managing your time well of course) with this textbook, and do the homework problems yourself instead of relying on the solutions older graduate students might be kind enough to hand down to you, you will get alot out of it.
Very good.......2006-11-02
I used this two volume set for a one year first course in quantum mechanics. These are from where I learn the subject for the first time. These are very good books intendent for the undergraduate level and very complete. It consists of a total of 14 chapters: 1-Waves and particles, 2-The mathematical tools of quantum mechanics,3-The postulates of Q.M., 4-Application of postulates to simple cases,5-The one dimensional harmonic oscillator,6-General properties of angular momentum in Q.M.,7-Particle in a central potential, the hydrogen atom, 8-An elementary approach to the quantum theory of scattering by a potential, 9-Electron spin, 10-Addition of angular momenta, 11-Stationary perturbation theory, 12-An application of perturbation theory, the fine and hyperfine structure of the hydrogen atom, 13-Approximation methods for time-dependent problems, 14-Systems of identical particles. In addition every chapter is followed by a set of complementary topics that help strengthen and deepen the material treated in the chapter, as you can see these books cover all essential material that should be covered in a first quantum mechanics course and when read, the reader can sense all the mastery of the authors explainig the topics.
The binding, in spite of being paperback, is very good also. I recommend these books to any one who wants to adquire a complete understanding of quantum mechanics at the undergraduate level, all in all, a superb book!
Love this book.......2006-01-09
A good, "deep" and complete presentation of quantum mechanics. The first chapter is great for basic ideas of QM. This is followed by a chapter on the mathematical tools of quantum mechanics and a very good chapter that lays out the postulates of quantum mechanics. Then it covers spin, the harmonic oscillator, angular momentum, and the hydrogen atom. It seems to me the book is the best around for teaching Dirac notation and matrix mechanics. Each chapter is accompanied by appendices that develop further detail or provide examples of various concepts. For help with problem solving, I recommend Quantum Mechanics Demystified and the Schaum's Outline of Quantum Mechanics. For a good reading companion, I recommend the Griffiths Quantum Mechanics book.
Book Description
In this groundbreaking book, the renowned theoretical physicist Lee Smolin argues that physics—the basis for all other science—has lost its way. The problem is string theory, an ambitious attempt to formulate "a theory of everything" that explains all the forces and particles of nature and how the universe came to be. With its exotic new particles and parallel universes, string theory has captured the public"s imagination and seduced many physicists. But as Smolin reveals, there"s a deep flaw in the theory: no part of it has been proven, and no one knows how to prove it. As a scientific theory, it has been a colossal failure. And because it has soaked up the lion's share of funding, attracted some of the best minds, and penalized young physicists for pursuing other avenues, it is dragging the rest of physics down with it. With clarity, passion, and authority, Smolin charts the rise and fall of string theory and takes a fascinating look at what will replace it. A group of young theorists has begun to develop exciting new ideas that are, unlike string theory, testable. Smolin tells us who and what to watch for in the coming years and how we can find the next Einstein. This is a wake-up call, and Lee Smolin—a former string theorist himself— is the perfect person to deliver it.
Customer Reviews:
Scientific progress is never cut and dried.......2007-10-08
Lee Smolin presents a harsh critique of the last 30 years in theoretical physics, written by one of its practitioners. He makes the excellent point that science is a human activity like anything else. Progress is always hard to predict; scientists can and do get caught up in dead ends. Smolin thinks string theory is one such dead end, and makes a good case for it.
I think that, if anything, Smolin is a little too gentle on the field. The development of the atomic and hydrogen bombs left a tremendous impression that big money put into physics would bring big results. In recent years that hasn't happened. There are so many unanswered questions out there in science, so many important fields where solutions are desperately needed. When I consider the construction and operation of particle accelerators and other high-tech equipment, I can't help but think of the huge cost. The same amount of cash invested elsewhere might have brought much more in the way of useful results.
I am the mother of a 10-year-old boy attending public school. His instruction sometimes seems to me like a mishmash of well-meaning educational reforms that have been implemented with little or no testing to see if they worked or not. I am frankly disgusted by the quality of most research in the area of education--sample sizes too small, no proper controls, subjects followed for too short a time, etc. The cost of operating a single particle accelerator for six weeks probably exceeds all the funding for educational research around the world for the entire year. Yet which has the most potential for making major progress? Maybe it's time to back off on funding big physics projects for a while.
I would also like to point out that the building and use of instrumentation for high-energy physics is highly dependent on cheap fossil fuels. The future supply of such fuels is by no means guaranteed. The peak oil problem appears to be largely ignored by high-energy physicists today, but has the potential to significantly affect their ability to conduct experiments.
I really enjoyed Smolin's chapters on looking for seers rather than technicians in science. I especially liked his description of how unconventional scientists have built a career without a university job. Smolin points out that a typical professor spends a majority of his week on teaching, grant proposals, administrative tasks, and the like, leaving a surprisingly small amount of time available for actual research. Having a day job outside the field is not as big a hurdle as it might seem.
I tend to agree with Smolin that the big advances of the future are likely to come from completely unexpected directions. I can't wait to see what they are.
physics from many angles.......2007-10-05
This book provided several discussions pf physics and quantum theory. its good because the author speaks of the history the the originators of physics theory and the current champions of thought.
A mixed bag.......2007-10-04
At the moment, string theory appears to have many (possibly an infinite number) of "metastable vacua", each of which would allow for a universe with its own laws of physics. (For a brief, comic, yet essentially correct summary of the history of this idea, see Peter Shor's review here. For those who don't know, Shor is a celebrated quantum-information theorist.) According to the (far from established) inflationary model of cosmology, there is a vast collection of universes (the "multiverse") with diverse laws of physics. Which universe we find ourselves in is a matter of random selection, but of course we must be in a "biofriendly" universe, one whose laws of physics allow for the appearance of intelligent life.
The core argument of this book is presented on page 164-165 (US hardcover edition), where Smolin writes, "when it comes to the biofriendliness of our universe, we have at least three possibilities:
"1. Ours is one of a vast collection of universes with random laws.
"2. There was an intelligent designer.
"3. There is a so-far-unknown mechanism that will both explain the biofriendliness of our universe and make testable predictions by which it can be confirmed or falsified.
"Given that the first two possibilities are untestable in principle, it is most rational to hold out for the third possibility. Indeed, that is the only possibility we should consider as scientists, because accepting either of the first two would mean the end of our field."
I find this to be an astonishing argument. First of all, I don't know what "most rational" is supposed to mean. More importantly, to reject a scientific hypothesis for purely personal reasons (it "would mean the end of our field") is at best novel, and at worst absurd.
Very few string theorists are happy that #1 seems, at this point, to be the most likely outcome of string theory, and many hope that #3 will somehow eventually emerge. But to throw out the whole framework, simply because we don't like the result, cannot be said to be a scientific attitude.
One thing you won't learn in this book (unless you read it very carefully, and between the lines) is that the other approaches to quantum gravity advocated by Smolin have not come any closer to predicting specific experimental results than string theory has. Smolin talks about possible violations of special relativity, but these are not (as he admits on page 237) a definite prediction of loop quantum gravity. He has said (on Peter Woit's blog) that any quantum field theory in any number of dimensions is compatible with loop quantum gravity. If true, this would make loop quantum gravity even less capable than string theory of picking out our particular laws of physics.
Smolin also discusses issues of sociology in physics. On page 335-336, he asserts that the all the truly negative characterizations of job candidates that he has ever heard have had a component of racism and/or sexism. I am on the faculty of the physics department of a research university, and I can only say that my experience has been entirely different. I have simply never heard a racist or sexist denigration of one scientist by another, nor have I ever felt that anyone was being evaluated by criteria other than merit. I think that there are definitely issues of culture and how we can construct scientific communities that have broader appeal, and that there are physicists who are not as sensitive to these issues as they might be, but I cannot accept Smolin's claim that the relatively small percentage of women and blacks in physics is due to "blatant prejudice".
Finally, Smolin discusses the issues of "seers" vs "craftspeople" in science, and argues that we should be supporting more "seers". Among the existing seers, he lists some (such as Roger Penrose and Gerard 't Hooft) who made their reputations primarily as craftspeople ('t Hooft received the Nobel Prize for his work on the renormalization of gauge theories, and Penrose did celebrated work on the singularity theorems of general relativity). Their record as seers has been less successful; none of their recent ideas on modifications of quantum mechanics have panned out as yet. Smolin laments the fact that more attention is not paid to these forays into alternatives to quantum mechanics. But 't Hooft and Penrose do not agree on what modifications are needed. Other seers identified by Smolin propose violations of special relativity, rather than (or in addition to) violations of quantum mechanics. Perhaps this is all deep thought, but there is little to decide, at this point, which if any of these avenues should be pursued. Most physicists have therefore sensibly adopted a "wait and see" attitude.
Even if we accept Smolin's argument that we need new seers, how are we to find them? Smolin writes (page 353) that in order to discover "the visionaries who ignore the mainstream and follow their own ambitious programs", we should "find at least one accomplished person in the candidate's field who is deeply excited about what the candidate is trying to do". So, the candidate's program had better not be *too* far off the mainstream; there has to be at least one "accomplished person" who is "deeply excited" about it. But if one deeply excited professional is good, wouldn't more be better? Wouldn't that up the odds that the program was, indeed, worthwhile? Oh wait, that would be just what we have now ... a system where there is constant debate, emergent consensus on the most promising approaches, and distribution of research funds primarily (but by no means exclusively!) to those approaches that appear, in the consensus view, to be most promising. To paraphrase Winston Churchill on democracy, this system for distributing funds for science may be the worst ever devised, except for all the others.
So, should you buy the book? I feel that it gives a distorted picture, by emphasizing the weak points of string theory while ignoring the (many more, in my view) weak points of the alternatives. It seems to me that the essence of the book's argument against string theory is captured by the excerpts above, and by Shor's review. Then there is a lot of discussion of groupthink in scientific culture. For me, it doesn't add up to an appealing package, but your mileage may vary.
The Endless Quest Continues .......2007-10-04
I like Lee Smolin and this is a good exposition of the current quandary in Physics. When the mathematicians "hijacked" physics in the 1920's, they created ever-so elegant formulas and abstraction upon abstraction upon abstraction. "Just give me a formula!" was their mantra, and what it all really "means" was not their concern. This is the essence of Bohr's position (no pun intended), and Einstein was not able to answer, even though he knew something was missing.
String theory has many intriguing ideas, and it's supporters should not be easily dismissed. Again and again, we come back to the basic question...particle or wave? Wavicle? Partiwave? String?
Outstanding piece of writing, A must-read for any science enthusiast........2007-09-22
I found this book to be superbly written and full of fascinating insights. I really loved reading it. Many of the longer reviews here do a great job of reviewing the content of the book, so I'll stick to offering my opinion.
I will no doubt read this book again in the future as much of the content was way over my head. However, as with any great book on any subject, this did not prevent me from thoroughly enjoying it and learning a lot. What makes it so great is that each time I read it I will learn more.
I want to thank Lee Smolin for putting the current state of his field in some perspective. I highly, highly recommend this book!
Average customer rating:
- Still the Best Overview on Quantum Computing
- Complete, but sloppy
- Complete and didactical
- Good book
- An essential text
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Quantum Computation and Quantum Information
Michael A. Nielsen , and
Isaac L. Chuang
Manufacturer: Cambridge University Press
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Similar Items:
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Classical and Quantum Computation (Graduate Studies in Mathematics)
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Quest for the Quantum Computer
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The Physics of Quantum Information: Quantum Cryptography, Quantum Teleportation, Quantum Computation
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Problems And Solutions in Quantum Computing And Quantum Information
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An Introduction to Quantum Computing
ASIN: 0521635039 |
Book Description
In this first comprehensive introduction to the main ideas and techniques of quantum computation and information, Michael Nielsen and Isaac Chuang ask the question: What are the ultimate physical limits to computation and communication? They detail such remarkable effects as fast quantum algorithms, quantum teleportation, quantum cryptography and quantum error correction. A wealth of accompanying figures and exercises illustrate and develop the material in more depth. They describe what a quantum computer is, how it can be used to solve problems faster than familiar "classical" computers, and the real-world implementation of quantum computers. Their book concludes with an explanation of how quantum states can be used to perform remarkable feats of communication, and of how it is possible to protect quantum states against the effects of noise.
Customer Reviews:
Still the Best Overview on Quantum Computing.......2007-03-02
This is an excellent book about a topic which becomes more important
with each passing month. It is written at a graduate level, such that
you really need to have had a college-level quantum mechanics course,
or equivalent. Most of the book uses bracket notation.
Complete, but sloppy.......2007-02-08
This is absolutely the standard introductory text to quantum information and quantum computation. Nielsen and Chuang certainly covered all the basis, and tried to give a self contained book including many reviews of related topics in the appendices. The main complain about the book is that some times it is sloppy, making hard to grasp the concepts. In some parts of the book there are even grammatical errors. My advice, get it, read it, but be very careful.
Complete and didactical.......2007-01-03
It is a book for specialists. In order to fully appreciate the contents you should have a physics, maths or computation science diploma. It contains a good introduction on Quantum mechanics, but for people that have already assited an introductory course on the field. Concerning the main subject: quantum computation, this book is the most complete review of the field and also suitable for a course on QC.
Good book.......2006-03-25
The book is good and gives you a general view of quantum information and computation. However, the size of the book disencourages beginners to read it.
An essential text.......2005-06-17
Despite its age, I keep coming back to this text for the careful prose and knowledgeable authors; so much so that I am ordering the hardback edition, having worn out the binding of the paperback edition. It is both a book to learn from and one to refer to later. It will eventually be outdated, but I don't see this as having happened yet. Although a large book, it is not bulked out like some, containing a lot of useful and relevant material. Perhaps not the text for those setting out from a 'cold start', but then a great follow up to 'The Quest for Quantum Computing" by Julian Brown. Not overtly rigorous, which is to its credit, as the concepts remain clear as a result. Certainly an essential text, where the prose does not get in the way. A very readable book about a very exciting subject, that is sure to deliver to the determined reader.
Book Description
Science has recently begun to prove what ancient myth and religion have always espoused: There may be such a thing as a life force.
Lynne McTaggart, indefatigable investigative journalist, reveals a radical new biological paradigm -- that on our most fundamental level, the human mind and body are not distinct and separate from their environment but a packet of pulsating power constantly interacting with this vast energy sea.
The Field is a highly readable scientific detective story that offers a stunning picture of an interconnected universe and a new scientific theory that makes sense of supernatural phenomena. Original, well researched, and well documented by distinguished sources, The Field is a book of hope and inspiration for today's world.
Customer Reviews:
its all in the Field.......2007-09-30
I am on my second reading. The information is important enough for me to be able to re-late it to others, especially in my progressive Christian church group. Although written in 2001...science is still kicking against some of this wisdom of it's own. Bucky Fuller said we're always 50 years behind the leading edge.
Excellent coverage of research bringing science to Consciousness.......2007-09-29
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is heartening to see that science is finally "discovering" what has been known (but not well publicized) since the dawn of humanity--that we are all part of an infinite, unified energy field which I and many others choose to call God or Consciousness or Omniverse.
Ramifications of the Zero-Point Field are infinite as is the field itself. It is the source of all present and future energy and the ultimate solution to the apparent energy shortage on earth. It is the primordial, timeless energy source from which all physical matter is created. Well done, Lynne!
Forever One: Letters from God--You Are Perfect Love, My Ego, My Higher Power and I, The Science of Mind: Original 1926 Text 1998 Edition See more books along these lines at www.hiconections.com
WOW.......2007-09-22
I had this pegged as a new-agey book that presented pseudo-science as science and fact. Not so. This book presents experiments done, from the 70s on, that will blow your mind and challenge your ideas of reality. McTaggart presents each experiment as an engaging story and overall, she feels authoritative. There are a few moments where I questioned the deductions that were made, but for the most part, I was surprised at how rigorous these experiments were - some at prestigious universities and some even backed by the CIA. McTaggart does little synthesis of her own, mainly just relying on the experiments & scientists to speak for themselves.
Sadly enough, the reason why none of us have heard about this stuff isn't because it isn't scientifically valid, but, according to McTaggart, it's because the scientific community is extremely conservative, and many of the experiments shake the foundations of what modern science has been based on.
I cannot recommend this book enough. The writing style is engaging and thorough. It really has changed my view of the world and opened my mind to a realm that I was always highly suspicious about, but interested in nonetheless. This book makes me want to explore reality and the power of my mind!
Simply superb.......2007-09-16
Mind blowing stuff ! I bought mine about a year ago and another one for a pal. Probably the best in a long list of books of this type
A scientific compilation of our true identity.......2007-09-09
I have followed this line of thinking for many years and have always believed this, but Lynne McTaggart brings it all together in one book, "The Field". This was fascinating reading and difficult to put down for any period of time. It has a wonderful ending. The Field is must reading for those with thirst for self knowledge.
Average customer rating:
- Perfect.
- Wow, does this suck . . . get a different book!
- This book is a very very very bad book which you never buy.
- Don't make the same fault I did!
- It is sad that we don't have a better book out there...
|
An Introduction to Quantum Field Theory (Frontiers in Physics)
Michael E. Peskin , and
Dan V. Schroeder
Manufacturer: HarperCollins Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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Quantum Field Theory in a Nutshell
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ASIN: 0201503972 |
Customer Reviews:
Perfect........2007-08-10
I received the book as it should be: knew. And it cames before the estimated time.
Wow, does this suck . . . get a different book!.......2007-06-13
Ok--I just need to help lower the overall rating for this book. I think the people who love it are professors and students who already are familiar with QFT--because it glosses over everything, does pertinent examples, etc. But that's just it, it GLOSSES over everything. Note that nearly all the higher reviews say things like: "oh, you wouldn't want to start with this book." or "Everyone knows that you're going to need more books than this one to understand it . . ." I couldn't even figure out how to create a Feynmann diagram from this book, let alone what one MEANT. FYI, my favorite QFT book so far is Weinberg's Quantum Theory of Fields.
This book is a very very very bad book which you never buy........2007-01-20
Absolutely no logic.
Perfectly nonclear.
No subject.
Mathematically poor.(very poor.)
Nonneccessary words.
No depth.
Not for self-study.
Just arrangement.
No physical insight.
No process.
No thinking.
This is indeed not a book.
This is a stuff for a vanity.
I wonder whether Peskin and Schroeder are genuine physicists.
Don't make the same fault I did!.......2006-12-16
Hi there!
The important information first: I'm a graduate student, mainly interested in theoretical physics. At the moment, I'm trying to get a deeper understanding of QFT.
Peskin's QFT book is NOT the one you should buy if you want to UNDERSTAND renormalization.
I learned the basics of QFT (\phi^4 and QED up to a first contact with renormalization - "trivial" subtraction of infinities) in a lecture and I finally felt like: "What does renormalization mean? What is it good for? Is there a deeper truth in it?" Well, the answer to the last question is definitely yes. It's about the Beta function. This function tells you how the coupling constants of a QFT behave at different momenta. E.g., we can learn from it why perturbation theory works for QED at low energies and for QCD at high energies (I think, this is amazing).
What I just said I learned from Huang's book. Peskin "deals" with it in chapters 10 to 12. In the middle of chapter 12 I finally said to myself: "Hey, don't feel stupid. This book is just completely incomprehensible here."
In my opinion, if you want to see behind renormalization (and therefore behind any QFT(!!)), don't buy Peskin's book. Any other book is better regarding this issue.
It is sad that we don't have a better book out there..........2006-05-28
The main problem of this book: what exactly is it supposed to be?
If it is an introduction, then the opening chapters are written at a level too sophisticated that an average first-time student can't handle.
If it aims to be a "bible" of the subject, then the later chapters are far too technical, loaded with only Feynman diagram calculations for standard model. Not being a phenomenologist, I personally have very little interest in all the technical detail, and apparently several other reviewers share my view here.
Now let me gives some examples to support my claim.
First, C, P and T symmetries are introduced very early on (right after Dirac spinor), and in a very formal way. Yes, they logically belong there, but in an "introduction" of the subject you don't throw out an isolated topic like this which you don't make use of in the following few hundred pages.
The part on cannonical quantization is written at a very fast pace. A complex scalar field is probably the first model you can construct with charged particles. And guess what kind of treatment it receives in this book? Not a single word in the main text. The problem 2 of that chapter essentially asks you to work out the content of this model with few hints given. If you have troble working it out, which is not uncommon for a first-timer, then you won't see the logic behind the decomposition of a complex Dirac field either. This is done in the following chapter, with no explaination.
Like the charged scalar field example, some important pieces of knowledge are hidden only in the exercises. So if you treat these high-power opening chapters as your bible-type reference, you will often end up in the frustrating situation that the book tells you to work out by yourself what you are seeking in the first place.
Now get to the later parts of the book. As I mentioned above, the second half of the book is almost conceptually too simple, overloaded with technical details.
This downfall begins around the renormalization group. On the back of this book, this Prof. Micheal Dine is qouted: "it is the only field theory text with a thoroughly modern, Wilsonian treatment of renormalization". The connection between the Wilsonian idea and dimensional regularization/renormalization scale is shaky at best. You read the text, and are left puzzled at the magic: how does a cut-off scale become some (much lower) arbitrary momentum scale? No explaination. The Wilsonian theory is completely isolated and have little connection with the rest of the renormalization section.
Furthermore, the book does not do a very good job on Lie algebra and non-abilien Lie groups. I mean, come on, if this is an "introduction" type of book, make it more readable. If this is a "bible" type of book, make it more comprehensive.
Having voiced all my bad opinions, I have to admit that the book has its merit. Bottom line is, this is a book written by phenomenologists for phenomenologists. If you view it from such an angle, it is not too badly written after all, and does cover most of the important topics a phnomenologist would want to know. But you may want to start from a more accessible text such as Ryder.
If you are a theorist, but not a phenomenologist, then, well, let's say the ability of getting through the first part perfectly is the minimum requirement for your research.
If you are an experimentalist, don't bother.
Book Description
IS EVERYTHING CONNECTED?
Can we sense what's happening to loved ones thousands of miles away? Why are we sometimes certain of a caller's identity the instant the phone rings? Do intuitive hunches contain information about future events? Is it possible to perceive without the use of the ordinary senses?
Many people believe that such "psychic phenomena" are rare talents or divine gifts. Others don't believe they exist at all. But the latest scientific research shows that these phenomena are both real and widespread, and are an unavoidable consequence of the interconnected, entangled physical reality we live in.
Albert Einstein called entanglement "spooky action at a distance" -- the way two objects remain connected through time and space, without communicating in any conventional way, long after their initial interaction has taken place. Could a similar entanglement of minds explain our apparent psychic abilities? Dean Radin, senior scientist at the Institute of Noetic Sciences, believes it might.
In this illuminating book, Radin shows how we know that psychic phenomena such as telepathy, clairvoyance, and psychokinesis are real, based on scientific evidence from thousands of controlled lab tests. Radin surveys the origins of this research and explores, among many topics, the collective premonitions of 9/11. He reveals the physical reality behind our uncanny telepathic experiences and intuitive hunches, and he debunks the skeptical myths surrounding them. Entangled Minds sets the stage for a rational, scientific understanding of psychic experience.
Customer Reviews:
Tour D'Force in the science for PSI........2007-08-28
I found this a very good read, albiet a little "Heady" on statistics it was a fascinating read. I was never aware of the lengthy studies that have been done on PSI, and the continued studies showing it exists. This book made me aware of what I already knew existed, and wondered if science was either ignorant or complacent in ignoring it. Through this book, I discovered they were both.
I firmly believe there is a global consciousness, and definitely believe in telepathy as I use it often with people I am entangled with. This book just affirms what I already know, stacks up the evidence in favor of PSI, and shows that science really needs a wake up call to reality.
Entanglement & Synchronicity.......2007-08-23
This is an amazing book. I was truly impressed with all of the collected historical data and case studies which the author of the book presented. He also presented a lot of statistical data and examples in regards to the odds of whether events are to be rejected or accepted. This is definitely first class research in and by itself!! I first heard about this book online at a different website and thought about getting it here. Lo and behold, when I got to work later that day, a co-worker gave me her copy of this book!! Now, is this simply coincidence, synchronicity, entanglement or the universe playing "trick or treat" with me?? Whatever your beliefs are in regards to psi and psychic abilities, I believe you'll be both pleasantly educated and entertained with this book.
Courage.......2007-05-20
"Those who are frightened of the darkness often refuse to look, and they don't want anyone else to look either."
Look a little bit closer and you will find that there is absolutely nothing to be afraid of. You will need courage but since that is an emotion it is freely available to all.
Jerry's.......2007-05-14
If you would like to know if there is any science behind those natural born psychics who seem to do things that most of us can't do, then this is a must read. For a scientist to dedicate much of his life to paranatural phenomena, should be recognized as credible. With a background in physics and technology, I highly recommend this book for all but the hard core skeptics who would never change their mind even if they experience such things themselves.
Another sign of the lack of coming to terms with the modern world.......2007-04-15
There is nothing remotely resembling "strong" evidence, theoretical or empirical, for quantum effects at this scale. This book is further evidence of the lack of mathematical and scientific education in America today. I suggest rather than wasting time with implausible leaps of pseudoscientific fantasy spun in this book, readers spend more time learning some mathematics and statistics, and get real.
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