Handbook of Physics

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding
Review: Having decided to take some classes in electrical engineering, I had been looking for a book that I could use to refresh my knowledge of college physics. I first acquired Halliday's Fundamentals of Physics - a very good book indeed - however, as heavy as any stardand textbook produced in the US. I ended up acquiring Handbook of Physics out of pure curiosity, and to my surprise, it happens to be one of the best science books I have seen in years.

The authors are very successful in compiling every single piece of information on undergraduate physics. The concepts in the book are advanced enough so as not to make you feel as if you were reading some "Physics for Dummies" type of book. That's a perfect combination for people who are looking for practical applications of physical concepts (like engineers) but who already have a quite good grasp on those concepts. The authors also include a little bit of theory not usually found on traditional physics textbooks, such as mechanics of materials.

All in all, it's one of those books you would want to keep forever around. The book has 1000+ pages but interestingly it is not thick or heavy. It easily fits your backpack so that you can read it whenever you read an article about the latest NASA technology on the newspaper.

Rating:
Summary: A Must Have
Review: This book is a godsend, especially if you are studying for the Physics GRE. It is concise, with many diagrams, covering all major topics in undergraduate Physics. As another reviewer has said, if you are only limited to one book in Physics, this is the one to have.

Rating:
Summary: The best concise Physics book ever?
Review: This is just a great book. In just under 1200 pages the authors manage to describe pretty much all of undergraduate level Physics in clear understandable language, with lots of illustrations and many practical examples and suggestions. For any student of physics (or simply someone interested in the topic) I think this is the most clear and concise book I've seen. A great reference book to keep close at hand, as it includes a fair amount of practical reference material as well.

The mathematical content is unusually well presented with all symbols defined as to units and quantity in a box with each equation, and the SI dimensionality of the result is indicated in each case as well.

The index is excellent.

I think if I could only own one book on Physics that this one might be it.

Rating:
Summary: The best concise Physics book ever?
Review: This is just a great book. In just under 1200 pages the authors manage to describe pretty much all of undergraduate level Physics in clear understandable language, with lots of illustrations and many practical examples and suggestions. For any student of physics (or simply someone interested in the topic) I think this is the most clear and concise book I've seen. A great reference book to keep close at hand, as it includes a fair amount of practical reference material as well.

The mathematical content is unusually well presented with all symbols defined as to units and quantity in a box with each equation, and the SI dimensionality of the result is indicated in each case as well.

The index is excellent.

I think if I could only own one book on Physics that this one might be it.