Primer of Quantum Mechanics (Physics)

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Summary: Primer of Quantum Mechanics
Review: A good and relatively easy introduction to Dirac notation for quantum mechanics. Very suitable for self study--I have worked through all of it, including all the problems. Most of the problems are an integral part of the text, but there are solutions to many and hints for many of the others. Should be suitable also for an undergraduate text in quantum mechanics. As an example of his method, Chester treats EPR in a general and apparently original manner, i.e. he uses neither the formulation in the EPR paper nor Bohm's--in most treatments the latter is most common (and certainly easiest to apply to experimental tests). I found the chapter on indistinguishable particles particularly helpful. Using simple examples, the author provides a clear introduction to the topic. Somewhat weak in the area of matrix mechanics; using Dirac notation in that section seems forced. There is a number of typographical errors, which are not serious however.

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Summary: brilliant primer
Review: I am now very happy to discover that this book is now again in print! This is a book I would have liked very much if it was available some 14 years ago when I was an undergraduate student. We should be in a time when old presentations of the subject were abandoned. The book,in an intelligent spirit of a primer, introduces Dirac's notation which, in my opinion, is the only chance that a non-genius has to really understand some Quantum Physics. We must remember that Dirac's notation may be some 70 years old, and that Feynman, himself, wrote his third volume of the "Lectures" some fourty years ago, trying to put the bras and kets in an introductory approach.

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Summary: Excellent!!
Review: The author relates the Dirac notation to the concepts very well. Explanations are also very clear and concise. Conventions for the Dirac notation is also explained very well. I'd say its an excellent self study book too, as long as the reader has sufficient math and physics background. At this size and weight, its extremely portable and easy to carry around for anytime reading =) Font and size of chracters makes this book easy to read, while not making it look like a nursery rhyme book. Diagrams are very helpful and quite abundant.

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Summary: Gem of a book!
Review: What a wonderful gem of a book this is! It is written with grace and eloquence and yes with a bit of passion for the subject as well! It probably cannot be used as a stand alone textbook since it lacks the rigour and depth of standard textbooks. However, it is a perfect adjunct to any QM class. The book uses the Dirac notation from the beginning, much like the books by Townsend, Shankar and Sakurai (a couple of these are graduate level books). As such it will not follow the typical undergraduate's class experience if books such as Griffins are used. As with most books the problems are an integral part of the book and of your education. For the most part these are not untractable and hints and solutions are given for some.
If you are planning on taking QM in the fall then you have enough mathematics to tackle this on your own (perhaps the summer prior to the first QM class). And if one puts the effort much can be gained from this little book. Also, since Dover is the publisher the price is not unreasonable.