Reading

"The only thing that you absolutely have to know, is the location of the library." - Albert Einstein

Currently reading:

  • Gödel, Escher, Bach: an Eternal Golden Braid by Douglas Hofstadter
    A very lengthy book introducing various aspects of formal systems, the major theorems arising from Hilbert's Program, consciousness, as well as some interesting topics in Baroque music and art. So far so good!
  • Electricity and Magnetism by Edward M. Purcell & David J. Morin
    I chose this textbook as opposed to Griffith's slightly more popular "Introduction to Electrodynamics" as it introduces magnetic fields as a consequence of Special Relativity, an exposition which I have thoroughly enjoyed so far. It also contains thorough and wordy explanations behind the consequences of the equations - very useful for developing a strong intuition.
  • Linear Algebra Done Right by Sheldon Axler
    Eye-opening and rigorous treatment of abstract Linear Algebra, which has helped me develop deeper levels of understanding behind the key objects in the field. I'd recommend a well-motivated introduction first such as Gilbert Strang's "Introduction to Linear Algebra", as a high-level understanding helps massively with the intuition / maturity needed to work through Axler's book.

Planning to read:

  • The Character of Physical Law by Richard Feynman
  • Thermodynamics by Enrico Fermi
  • Book of Proof by Richard Hammack
  • Mathematical Analysis I & II by Vladimir Zorich
  • Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions by Edwin Abbott
  • Introduction to Quantum Mechanics by David J. Griffiths
  • The Feynman Lectures on Physics by Richard Feynman

Finished reading:

  • Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman! by Richard Feynman
    Fun anecdotes highlighting Feynman's extraordinary character and inspiring me to make the most out of life.
  • Classical Mechanics by John R. Taylor
    Great textbook covering topics from high-school in more detail such as conservative forces, oscillations, non-inertial frames as well as an excellent introduction into the Lagrangian & Hamiltonian formalisms.