Best physics books: Change the way you look at the universe – Livescience.com

What is our place in the universe? How do we explain what happens around us? These are big questions to ask on our quest to understand the complexities of physics and the universe. Thats why weve curated this round up of the best physics books to gain a deeper understanding from the top authors in the field.

Physics can be a dense and detailed study, with complicated theories and exploration of ideas that can be difficult for anyone to fully comprehend. They explain these concepts in ways that are approachable and will continue your journey of understanding our physical world.

Weve collected the best physics books written by some of the worlds most renowned scientists, including Stephen Hawking, Brian Greene, and Richard Feynman. These are the books that break down complicated matters to simple, easy-to-read concepts, get to the heart of the matter quickly without getting lost in the details, and entertain you along the way with their humor and personal stories.

If you want to discover anything from the origins of physics through to its evolution into the modern century, these are the best physics books to add to your library for all levels of enthusiasts to expand your thinking and knowledge of the way our world works.

If you're looking for physics books that specifically deal with the cosmos, then you can check out our guide to the best astronomy books.

1. The Elegant Universe

Superstrings, Hidden Dimensions, and the Quest for the Ultimate Theory

Price: $11.59 (paperback, new)

Author: Brian Greene

Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company

Release date: October 11, 2010

Expertly organized

Uses relatable analogies

Complex topics accessible for those without a scientific background

Later chapters can grow in complexity and may seem daunting

Written by one of the worlds most renowned string theorists, The Elegant Universe takes complex topics and makes them easily accessible to any reader with or without a science background! Greene creates an impactful and visual reading experience as he navigates through the mysteries of the universe. This international bestseller inspired a major Nova special and leans into Greens expertise in superstring theory.

The Elegant Universe brings thoughtful discussion surrounding special relativity, general relativity, and quantum mechanics, paving the way towards an explanation of all forces and matter. Simple analogies and footnotes break down heavier topics with a dash of humor. Readers will be delighted by the approachable way in which Greene ties in string theory to help our understanding of the vast universe.

2. The Feynman Lectures on Physics (box set)

The New Millennium Edition

Price: $115.99 (hardcover, new)

Author: Richard P. Feynman

Publisher: Basic Books

Release date: January 4, 2011

World's greatest lectures still used in universities today

Approachable intro for those interested in the foundations of physics

Expensive, but they are hardcovers

Unmissable content for any student and those eager to learn more about this expansive field who wants a foundational introduction to physics written by beloved Nobel laureate, Richard P. Feynman. The Feynman Lectures on Physics is a collection of his most profound lectures, reprinted and corrected in collaboration with CalTech. Inside this three-book box set, youll find the basic principles of Newtonian physics through more complex topics such as general relativity, quantum mechanics, and beyond.

Feynman's lectures are accessible without sacrificing relevant information. His passion is evident throughout the pages, never shying away from asking the tougher questions and challenging his audience to expand their thinking. This is a box set designed for each generation, setting up the future for emerging scientists.

3. Quantum Mechanics: The Theoretical Minimum (illustrated edition)

What you need to know to start doing physics

Price: $16.33 (paperback, new)

Author: Leonard Susskind and Art Friedman

Publisher: Basic Books

Release date: May 12, 2015

Clear presentation of the inner workings of quantum physics

Includes step-by-step exercises

Requires some prior mathematical knowledge

Need to read first book to better understand this one

Quantum Mechanics: The Theoretical Minimum is the second book in the Theoretical Minimum series. If youre a reader with some knowledge of linear algebra and calculus who wants to dive deeper into the world of quantum mechanics, this is for you. Susskind and Friedman make it easy to follow along with the subject matter, getting to logical explanations quickly. Susskind deploys notations in earnest, condensing information into manageable symbols.

Itll get you thinking about the information differently, trying out a new way to speculate and approach complicated topics. This book will connect the dots, build the bridges between each concept presented, and explain all the core ideas of theory coherently.

4. Thirty Years that Shook Physics

The story of quantum theory

Price: $12.59 (paperback, new)

Author: George Gamow

Publisher: Dover Publications, Inc

Release date: July 1, 1985

Accounts of personal interactions with all the science greats

Interesting look into the history of science and quantum physics

To get the best out of the theories in this book you'll need a good grasp of maths

Gamow possesses an engaging, entertaining way of presenting the very basics of quantum physics and its progression over the span of three decades. As Gamow was personally acquainted with the scientists presented in this book Bohr, Pauli, Dirac, and Heisenberg just to name a few the result is a level of humanity and personality behind the origins of some of physics' most complex theories and equations.

This is a book about how science has changed and developed in the last century, and Gamow writes this in a way that is accessible to a general audience. Covering prominent events between 1900-1930, youll get the inside story on the course that shaped modern physics.

5. A Brief History of Time

Price: $7.99 (paperback, new)

Author: Stephen Hawking

Publisher: Bantam

Release date: September 1, 1998

Filled with images and useful definitions

Short, quick read

Uses basic terminology and avoids over-complicated info dumps

Deeper theories require prior physics knowledge to fully appreciate

Written by the late Stephen Hawking one of the most renowned scientists of this century A Brief History of Time delves into topics such as black holes, wormholes, uncertainty principle, space and time, expansion of the universe, time travel, and so much more.

Hawking manages to be accessible, while still speaking to those with years of scientific experience under their belts. Its quick and to the point, providing clarity around some of the most complex mechanics of how our universe works. Logically organized, humorous at times, and immersive, youll be taken on a journey that spans from our worlds earliest astronomers to the latest on the future of the universe.

6. Seven Brief Lessons on Physics

Price: $12.00 (paperback, new)

Author: Carlo Rovelli

Publisher: Penguin

Release date: January 1, 2012

Short (only 7 chapters)

Perfect for those interested in the foundations of physics

Can be dense in some areas

Hard to find

Carlo Rovelli is a widely respected and renowned theoretical physicist who introduces you to the modern world of physics. Its a short book, with the paperback only coming in at 81 pages, but its packed with playful and entertaining takes on our world and the role we play in it. Moving quickly through Einsteins general relativity, quantum mechanics, and other complexities of our known universe, Seven Brief Lessons outlines how physics arrived to where it is now.

Written confidently and in a way that is accessible to any reader, the intricacies of this book is written with vivid clarity. Beautifully written, and almost lyrical in its presentation of Newton, Bohr, and Einstein, Seven Brief Lessons on Physics is not one to miss.

7. Physics of the Impossible

A Scientific Exploration of the World of Phasers, Force Fields, Teleportation, and Time Travel

Price: $29.82 (hardcover, new)

Author: Michio Kaku

Publisher: Doubleday

Release date: March 11, 2008

Perfect for sci-fi fans

Humorous undertones

Some feel this book is more fantastical rather than focusing on the actual physics

Fans of pop culture will delight in the insights presented in this engaging and humorous book. Michio Kaku, theoretical physicist and bestselling author, explores the possibilities of teleportation, force fields, interstellar spaceships, and other future technologies youve seen only in science fiction. Are they truly as impossible to achieve as it seems?

In this informative yet widely imaginative look at the universe and the laws of physics, the very topic of scientific possibility is on full display. Kaku looks into the several branches of physics from Newtonian mechanics up to relativity and quantum mechanisms of the 20th century. Sci-fi technologies are broken down into accessible ideas as Kaku explores the possibilities of building starships, time travel, and invisibility.

8. Astrophysics for People in a Hurry

Price: $9.49 (hardcover, new)

Author: Neil deGrasse Tyson

Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company

Release date: May 2, 2017

Today's Best Deals

Clear, concise introduction

Shorter page count

See the rest here:

Best physics books: Change the way you look at the universe - Livescience.com