Rating: 
Summary: The Truth about Jackson.
Review: Learning Electrodynamics from Jackson is like learning about wet cement by swimming in it. If you do it long enough, you'll come up with some astounding insights, but the odds are that you'll drown. While it is possible to learn from Jackson, there are plenty of other resources to work with.If you know the solutions to the problems, and the technique, it is possible to generate your own solutions. Yes, that is oxymoronic. These problems cannot (in general) be solved unless you know the correct assumptions to make along the way. Some call that learning, others call it parroting. You can't avoid Jackson, your Profs won't let you. The best option is: Suffer, get Masters. Suffer more, get PhD. Suffer even more, teach Grad E&M... But, don't use Jackson. The only way to get this book out of the classroom is to train people without it. It is an excellent reference book. So is an encyclopedia; We don't use them in a classroom. Reference books belong in libraries while books you learn from belong on your desk... P.S. I passed 2 semesters of Grad Jackson, but I'm not going to stand here and act like it makes me more manly. We all struggle with some of these topics, good luck to all of you.
Rating: 
Summary: Jackson is without empathy and mercy.
Review: I met Jackson once personally. Let's just say he's not the paragon of sanity one has in mind. He's very much of a sadist and this comes out very well in his book. I suggest he be put in a straight jacket so he never tortures students again with his writing.
Rating: 
Summary: Classic for good reasons
Review: The book is not suited for a first introduction to electromagnetics, but whoever has acquired a basic understanding of Maxwell's equations and the other standard stuff will appreciate this book. Indeed, electromagnetics is pretty mathematical, but: if you cannot stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen! Understanding Jackson may be a serious effort, but then: no pain, no gain.
Rating:
Summary: Horrible to study - good for those who are already experts
Review: Jackson is the standard textbook for E&M in gradschool. The problem is, that if one tries to understand the material it is almost impossible withour knowing the stuff already. Too often Jackson assumes some knowledge on the math or physics involved by using phrases like "as can be shown easily...." "as can be proved using...." etc. I'd rather prefer a text which exlplains the material with less geeky physicists language (only a few authors have actually the ability to do that, but there are a few). The problems are almost impossible to solve using Jacksons text only. In my graduate course one out of ten students actualy works on the problems on a regular basis, the rest gives up quickly or copies the solution from the students of the previous year who themselves copied most of the solutions. So it is time consuming and not very helpful in getting an understanding of the material.
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Summary: Enobling and Enlightening
Review: Of course Istruggled with many of the problems, but no more than I did with other texts in quantum, thermo etc. Physics is one of the most enobling, enlightening adventures known ever.
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Summary: Jackson might be a Great Guy but . . .
Review: this book sure isn't. The material's there, but the presentation is lacking. You can read and reread and remained confused on even the most trivial topic. There are other electromagnetism text, some are much clearer to understand. If you don't believe me, try the test. Read a section in Jackson and try to solve a problem at the end of the chapter which relates to that section. Read a section about the same topic and solve another Jackson problem pertaining to the same material. Do this several times alternating between reading Jackson first and then reading a text of your choice first. Keep a tally of how many problems you solve correctly and the time it takes. The result shouldn't surprise you, you'll probably learn better from the source of your choice. (Actually, this test is unfair. Everybody learns in different fashions. Of course, you'll learn better from the author of your choice! And if Jackson is the author of your choice, god help you.)
Rating: 
Summary: Not as bad as others make it out to be. Definitely a classic
Review: Dense? Yes. That's what Electromagnetism is. Jackson does a wonderful advanced treatment of Electrodynamics, that unfortunatly fails in its treatment of specifics. Jackson makes an excellent reference guide, but keep your copies of Griffiths handy!
Rating:
Summary: THE text for learning Classical Electrodynamics
Review: Read Jackson, re-read Jackson, work through the equations, think about the physical arguments, worry about & try to solve as many problems as you can, and you WILL really learn electrodynamics. It is not an easy book, but, then again, it is not an easy subject. Just take the time and do the work.
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Summary: This book gave me nightmares for months
Review: You probably already know that is the standard graduate-level E&M textbook. This may be because so many professors find it to be an invaluable reference manual. The number of topics in this tome is incredible. And if you have a ton of time on your hands (and you already have a Ph.D.), you can really get a lot out of the book. Or it may be that there are no alternatives to Jackson. But this book is really difficult (and I mean excruciatingly difficult) to read, unless you are already an expert. Many of the equations that pop up are unmotivated at critical junctures. Someone could do the entire physics community a huge favor by writing a readable textbook. Even if departments didn't use it as their textbook, a readable graduate-level E&M book for the first-year graduate student would really help to get some of us through Jackson. The problems are difficult, but only because obscure mathematical identities and integrals are needed to solve a lot of them. There is a lot of physics in the problems, but it is really buried in the math. You will get more out of the textbook and the problems years later.
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Summary: As if we needed more disincentives for physics grad school.
Review: Reading Jackson ranks in enjoyment somewhere between having your teeth pulled and getting a spinal tap. It's a shame that this book has become the de facto standard for graduate electromagnetism. It is dry, uninspriring and full of problems designed to test your aptitude for looking up definite integrals in Russian mathematical handbooks. We won't take this any more -- students of the world unite -- if at all possible, refuse to buy this book. Jackson should not be allowed to reap the profits obtained by terrorizing thousands of graduate students.
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