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Classical Electrodynamics (Classical Theoretical Physics)

Classical Electrodynamics (Classical Theoretical Physics)

List Price: $54.95
Your Price: $43.65
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Probably the most didactic book on electrodynamics.
Review: A complete, mathematically clear book in advanced electrodynamics. Very close to the book by Jackson, but much more instructive in what it comes to mathematical methods and concepts. Anyway, I think it is a good idea to have both books. The only problem is the gaussian units system. I strongly recommend you check the books by W. Greiner; they usually provide a very comprehensive approach.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: A good book but the English version has many errors.
Review: I do agree with the previous reviews that the book is of great didactic value. Indeed, the books which offer an indepth knowledge on electromagnetism are very often so complicated that they put the student off (e.g. Jackson). Other books strive for simplicity and offer a didactic approach at the expense of thoroughness.

Greiner's book combines the two aims. It is very detailed and at the same time even the undergraduate student is able to understand it.

There is, however, one BIG problem. The book is fraught with errors. Being a junior lecturer at a Polish university I had to prepare a course on electrodynamics so I read the whole book paying attention to the details.

The first problem is the language. As a native speaker of Polish I am not an expert, but you do not have to be one to notice grammar or spelling mistakes. Also, some indices seem to have their origin in the German terms instead of English ones (e.g. the index a - ausserhalb - outside).

The derivations and formulae are another problem. Very often reading a formula you will be confused because a wrong letter has been used or a symbol is in the wrong place.

Referring is also a problem of this edition of the book. Very often the number of a formula to which a specific problem refers is wrong. You will have to find the right formula yourself (this is especially visible in Chapter 14).

I am really sorry to say this, but for the above reasons I would NOT RECOMMEND buying this book in its present form. Wait for the second edition (corrected I hope) and in the meantime use the German version or borrow the book from the library.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: More Careless Typos and Mistakes
Review: I heartily concur with Piskorski's earlier review except I think he was a bit generous with the stars. It seems that this may be a problem with VERY POOR editing. I hope the publisher reads this. I gave a similar review of Greiner's Stat Mech book. I don't read German; so, I can't comment on the original books in this series, but the translations are extraordinarily sloppy.

There are numerous incorrect equation references. Typos in equations are abundant - often the incorrect symbol or letter appears. The grammar is sloppy - the translator should be ashamed. As far as references to other work, I didn't see any. A very serious omission in an academic text. However, there is a nice history of optics and E&M at the end of the book; maybe this compensates for the lack of references a bit.

The typos and mistakes make this book unacceptable for an undergraduate text. Instead I would highly recommend David Griffiths' "Introduction to Electrodynamics" - by far the class act for undergraduate E&M texts.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Best reference for students as well as for researchers.
Review: This book can be an excellent reference for physics students as well as for researchers. All important aspects of classical electrodynamics are in this text.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Perfect electrodynamics text for advanced learners.
Review: This is not only an excellent text of electrodynamics for advanced learner but also a great introduction book for beginners. Greiner's excellence in writing made it possible for this compact book to contain all important topics in electrodynamics with carefully worked examples and clear derivations.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Excellent text of electromagnetics.
Review: This text is a real gem!The author strives for educational excellence and costantly achieves his aim.This text is an advanced course in electromagnetic theory,but the author does not requires from you ,you are Einstein or have mystic power of discerning as too often happens when you buy an advanced text,instead he introduces in an exceptionally clear way all the mathematics you need.I think this work belongs to the best German tradition of lucidity and completeness.I have learned a lot of new things about electromanetics,reinforced what i just knew and enjoyed a lot also the biographies of famous phycisists.I hope there will be soon a release in English of his two books of mechanics.


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