The Principles of Quantum Mechanics by R. Shankar, 0306447908, Lowest Book Price Finder

Customer Reviews:

Exactly what I needed

This is a fantastic book on quantum mechanics. It doesn't assume too much on the part of the readers background, allowing someone like me, with a sporadic formal education to 'bootstrap' up on it. At the same time it doesn't make the mistake of trying to dumb down the subject matter, and ignore the 'hard bits'. Instead you are equipped with the tools you need to tackle the subject head on.

The information is presented in a clear, comprehensive and friendly manner. It is also remarkably self contained, You just need to know the first steps in advanced maths (matrices, calculus etc.) and obviously various bits of physics helps, but you should not have to resort to buying other books so you can understand this one. Any physics undergraduate should have no problem ploughing into it.

Despite this low 'entry level', there no dumbing down, quite the contrary. This is a serious book and does not shy away from the subject matter or try to present a naive way.
From the first chapter you are plunged directly into vector fields and dirac notation. Instead of compromising the subject matter to make it understandable, the text first equips the reader with the tools and understanding required, before tackling the topics 'head on'. (This is much more satisfying than the indirect 'break them in easy' approach that introductory QM books tend to take, that will leave you with a false sense of confidence, and inadequate understanding.)

I am using this for self study, and I am simply delighted with it. I am still working through it, but I am confident when i complete it I will have the understanding and skills I need.

Very thoughtfully well written

If you can just have one 'introductory'(non research monograph type) quantum mechanics book, which one would you choose? When faced with this problem recently, I was very dissappointed to find that there are not many contenders.

I only seriously considered: Shankar, Schiff, Merzbacher, McMurry, Betts & Davies and may be Dicke & Wittke. The last 2 are very appealing and cheaper too, but unfortunate they carry less depth than the others(and possibly a bit out-dated).

I discovered Shankar through Amazon.com where it receives high praises. I was determined to see for myself how good it really is. I needed no time to be persuaded. It is a shame that the book has not much following in British universities. Hence, I was unaware of it.

Topics or styles peculiar to Shankar(and attracts me) are the Chapter 1 of mathematical preparation, Chapter 2 of Classical Mechanics(inc. Langrangian & Hamiltonian mechanics) and Chapter 8 of Path Integral formulation(due to Feynman) of Quantum Theory. The 2nd Ed has a sequel to Path Integral. Be assured that other essentials are also covered.

The book is very user friendly and can be used in self-study. One warning: give yourself ample time to read. The book is lengthy but not long-winded. It is certainly not an express guide to exams.

One shortcoming is the under-developed bibliography. Another major complaint: the price. It is about time they publish a paperback version.

I hope Shankar will write a similarly good book on Quantum Field Theory.

one of the best

This book is one of the best books available on quantum mechanics i ve seen. if only Shankar had included more examples and exercises,physical problems rather than abstract mathematical "show that" problems.

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