good skin-deep book
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Kaku's book 'Quantum Field Theory: a Modern Introduction' really covers a lot of material, from single-particle equations to supersymmetry and a brief introduction to superstrings. It is therefore a good reference. However, none of the chapters is really amazing, it is a good book to read if one wants to gain an overview about QFT but it is definitely disappointing for those searching for deeper and more interesting treatments of the subject.
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Superb modern introduction in Quantum Field Theory !
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This book is the best introduction in QFT I have ever read. Of course, you need a lot of mathematical background but this is self-evident.
The main emphasis is on the Standard Model of the Elementary particles. If you want to know about the Standard Model, this is THE book!
Starting from the classical field theory, Kaku introduces QFT through the most important Group Theory. Then he continues to describe relativistic quantum mechanics, QED, Feynman rules, S-matrix, Gauge Theory, Standard Model and even beyond the Standard Model: Lattice Gauge Theory, Monopoles, Supersymmetry and Superstring Theory.
The Feynman path integral formalism is clearly introduced via postulates and with a lot of examples.
Kaku gives advantages and (seldom found in other books) also disadvantages of the used mathematical methods for quantization schemes and Renormalization types.
In one word : superb!
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great pedagogical treatise on QFT, for learning and research
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I have had a number of books to first learn field theory, then work through and develop models and then apply to investigatory work in theoretical physics in the capacity of a researcher, but I have never had a book like this before. I would rate it excellent, just like the famous and my all-time fave books on QFT by Itzykson and Zuber (the advanced account) and Peskin & Schroeder (a good student resource). It is a delight to know this book and to be enchanted by its charisma. It may seem difficult to a person having a quick exhaustive look (as Kaku does not elucidate much reasonings and detailed calculations at many places), but if you go through it, the lucid, illustrative and pedagogical style of Kaku is not difficult to follow. The book is suited to students of theoretical physics, particularly from the particle physics and condensed matter disciplines, but is optimised for advanced users as well. Kaku starts with introduction to field theory basics and then takes you through the actual intricacies of the theory and its methods in his well-known intuitive way, concluding with some impeccable sections on the modern concepts of Supersymmetry and Superstrings, quantum gravity and monopoles, etc, some of the best accounts I have gone through, so far. Great book!
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