An Introduction to Quantum Computing Algorithms (Progress in Computer Science and Applied Logic, V. 19)

Rating:
Summary: Friendly
Review: A handful of good introductions to ideas in quantum computing have appeared in the past two years. The present one stands out in being both friendly and brief. There is no way into the subject, getting around the fundamentals in quantum physics and in math. Through this little book, an uninitiated reader can get some insight into the ideas of Deutsch-Jozsa, and the algorithms of Peter Shor and Lov Grover. The author does his job, as well as any, and the book is pleasant reading.

Rating:
Summary: what I was looking for.
Review: Do a search for "quantum computing" on amazon and you'll find a lot of duff books. I wanted an exposition that begins with the simplest possible mathematics and the least possible necessary background in quantum theory, and progresses nicely into being able to comprehend papers in the field. Here it is. All you need to carry around with this is a nice, rigorous linear algebra text (I recommend FIS). Word 'em up.

Rating:
Summary: Not for a Computer Scientist or Mathematician
Review: who don't have a strong background in Physics. The first "basic" example is a particle spin interaction that displays quantum entanglement. Well, maybe that's easy for a physics major, but a math and computer science major will be totally clueless! It assumes too much quantum physics for non-physics people, myself included. Quantum Computing by Mika Hirvensalo is a much better starting point for these who have traditional background in math and computer science. Also, if you want to build a good intuition about quantum systems before doing algorithms, QED by Richard Feynman would be a good reading for the same audience.

Rating:
Summary: Not for a Computer Scientist or Mathematician
Review: who don't have a strong background in Physics. The first "basic" example is a particle spin interaction that displays quantum entanglement. Well, maybe that's easy for a physics major, but a math and computer science major will be totally clueless! It assumes too much quantum physics for non-physics people, myself included. Quantum Computing by Mika Hirvensalo is a much better starting point for these who have traditional background in math and computer science. Also, if you want to build a good intuition about quantum systems before doing algorithms, QED by Richard Feynman would be a good reading for the same audience.