Physics, 4th Edition, Vol.1

Rating:
Summary: A classic!
Review: Although there are a few topics that I would leave for more advanced courses and a few others I would present in more detail (even for beginner courses), it is a generally well-balanced book with great explanations on the concepts of Physics. The notation is very good and the graphics and drawings are perfectly sketched and provide great help for understanding the text. Each chapter presents a brief description of what will be studied in it and the book features some historical notes in a few topics. There is a wide list of exercises at the end of each chapter from straightforward exercises to more mindful ones. It also presents some exercises using English units in addition to the ones with International System units.

Rating:
Summary: Don't fix it if it ain't broke
Review: Although this text is very, classically, text-ish (minimal illustrations, black and blue ink only, dry writing), it still stands out as a high quality introductory physics text. I used it in my intro level classes, at a university that emphasizes physics education theory. I figure with all the research they have done on undergraduate physics education, their choice to use HRK could not have been one made randomly. I continue to refer to it over the newer, flashier additions, because it still gets the job done, without skipping details in exchanges for full color photos.

Rating:
Summary: Don't fix it if it ain't broke
Review: Although this text is very, classically, text-ish (minimal illustrations, black and blue ink only, dry writing), it still stands out as a high quality introductory physics text. I used it in my intro level classes, at a university that emphasizes physics education theory. I figure with all the research they have done on undergraduate physics education, their choice to use HRK could not have been one made randomly. I continue to refer to it over the newer, flashier additions, because it still gets the job done, without skipping details in exchanges for full color photos.

Rating:
Summary: The only book necessary for high school physics
Review: I studied this book in high school for entrance into the prestigious institutes of technology in India, the IITs. This is an excellent book for people who know how to use their heads and I am surprised to see undergrads complaining about the book being terse. The reason why a good book is terse is so that you internalise all the concepts by arriving at them yourself. It is definitely not a book for people who are stupid or who don't really love the beauty of physics and can't think for themselves.

Rating:
Summary: The only book necessary for high school physics
Review: I studied this book in high school for entrance into the prestigious institutes of technology in India, the IITs. This is an excellent book for people who know how to use their heads and I am surprised to see undergrads complaining about the book being terse. The reason why a good book is terse is so that you internalise all the concepts by arriving at them yourself. It is definitely not a book for people who are stupid or who don't really love the beauty of physics and can't think for themselves.

Rating:
Summary: Worst physics book ever
Review: Not helpful at all. This book dosn't take the time to explain anything, or any of its examples. Right from the start this book sets itself up to be a "deep in the old library, only PhDs find this a helpful reference" type book. From its strictly black and blue printing, to how it expects you to take what it says "as is" without a hint of explaination as to why it is.