Statistical Mechanics

Rating:
Summary: very clear in thought
Review: A carefully prepared book, extremely meticulous in the logical stucture of statistical mechanics. It contains interesting introductions to a few topics of current research.

Rating:
Summary: Another bad stat. mech. book
Review: I think the only reason professors use this book is because it has hard problems and all the major topics seem to be listed in the chapter headings. Unfortunately, there are major sections of this book where the author derives equation after equation to get to a final result in the most archaic method imaginable. This makes it very hard to read this book. Good luck on trying to pull out the important stuff! There are very few worked out examples, and insight is generally sparse. Certainly not a book for just looking things up, or using in a class either.

Rating:
Summary: Good explanations, but a couple of small problems
Review: I'm currently reading this book. So far the material has been well-presented in a logical form. The book comprehensively covers the basics, and discusses a few more modern topics too.

Just a few *small* gripes though. Firstly I find the equation numbering somewhat confusing. Secondly, some of the exercises are a nightmare simply because they are not well stated. Thus, although some exercises add considerably to my understanding - as they should - some take an annoyingly long time to figure out what is meant.

Rating:
Summary: Good explanations, but a couple of small problems
Review: I'm currently reading this book. So far the material has been well-presented in a logical form. The book comprehensively covers the basics, and discusses a few more modern topics too.

Just a few *small* gripes though. Firstly I find the equation numbering somewhat confusing. Secondly, some of the exercises are a nightmare simply because they are not well stated. Thus, although some exercises add considerably to my understanding - as they should - some take an annoyingly long time to figure out what is meant.

Rating:
Summary: very clear in thought
Review: In my opinion, the most characteristic of the book is its very clearness. Through this book, one, especially a graduate student can easily grasp the spirit of the statistics mechanisms. while, other similar book often brings reader into a puzzled place. The only drawback for the book is too expensive to me.

Rating:
Summary: good reference but mediocre textbook
Review: The book is very comprehensive, discusses all topics in Stat Mech and contains all the formulas you'll need. Unfortunately, it often neglects to mention the physical conditions for which this or that formula was derived. Reading the bood quickly becomes an exercise in mathematics. The problems are very hard and the student looking for a way to approach the problems will find no clue in the book whatsoever. Convenient for professors. Students who want to pass the course should look elsewhere for the discussion of the appropriate solution methods. Reading will be pleasant for those who already have a rock-solid understanding of Stat Mech. All the others will be left in the dust. Buy this book if it's a required text, if you want a good reference, or if you think you can solve any problem on Stat Mech. Read some other book first to understand the physics involved.