TL;DR
A Hacker News poster asked for compact, expository textbooks that cover modern physics (or all physics) at an undergraduate-rigorous level. Respondents and the poster named several candidates — John Dirk Walecka’s multi-volume set, Robert Sproull (Dover), S.H. Patil (Springer), and an older Soviet text by Ivanov — and flagged the need for parallel undergraduate math study for some of them.
What happened
On Hacker News a user solicited recommendations for expository yet succinct books that present an overview of modern physics, ideally at a level that permits mathematical rigor starting from undergraduate preparation. The original post linked the Wikipedia framing of modern physics and listed several titles they were considering. Chief among these were John Dirk Walecka’s multi-volume treatments (Introduction, Advanced, Topics on Modern Physics, plus introductory volumes on core subjects) published by World Scientific. The poster also noted Robert Sproull’s Modern Physics (Dover) as an older option, S.H. Patil’s Elements of Modern Physics (Springer) as apparently more current, and a Soviet-era Fundamentals of Physics by Ivanov as a useful overview. One respondent who had skimmed Walecka’s Topics recommended it as a solid intermediate resource, but cautioned that it assumes parallel study of undergraduate mathematics — real analysis, linear algebra, differential equations and group theory — or it can be hard to follow.
Why it matters
- Selecting a survey text influences how accessible modern physics will be to readers with varying undergraduate mathematics preparation.
- Books that aim for rigor often assume concurrent study of mathematical foundations; mismatched expectations can hinder learning.
- Older, classic texts may offer clear exposition but might lack more recent perspectives; newer texts may be more current but differ in pedagogical style.
- Recommendations from practitioners and skimming comments can help prospective readers judge fit before committing to a multi-volume series.
Key facts
- The Hacker News thread requested books that survey modern physics (or all of physics) with acceptable undergraduate-level mathematical rigor.
- John Dirk Walecka’s multi-volume set (Introduction, Advanced, Topics on Modern Physics) and introductory subject volumes were highlighted by the poster.
- Robert Sproull’s Modern Physics (Dover) was mentioned and described as somewhat old by the poster.
- S.H. Patil’s Elements of Modern Physics (Springer) was cited as appearing up to date.
- The poster noted a Soviet-era text, Fundamentals of Physics by Ivanov, as a helpful overview.
- A commenter who skimmed Walecka’s Topics judged it an excellent intermediate resource for students concurrently studying undergraduate mathematics.
- The mathematics areas specifically cited as helpful background for Walecka were real analysis, linear algebra, differential equations and group theory.
- The original poster asked for experiences using these books in study or teaching and for suggestions on mathematics background resources.
What to watch next
- Walecka’s Topics may be challenging without simultaneous study of undergraduate mathematics (confirmed in the source).
- Patil’s Elements of Modern Physics was described as seeming up to date by the poster (source impression).
- Sproull’s Modern Physics is characterized in the thread as somewhat dated (source impression).
- Whether any of these volumes suit specific teaching curricula or learning styles is not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Modern physics: Branches of physics developed since the early 20th century, typically including quantum mechanics, relativity, and related fields.
- Expository text: A book aimed at explaining concepts clearly and concisely, often prioritizing pedagogical clarity over exhaustive technical detail.
- Undergraduate mathematics: Foundational math topics commonly taught in college, such as linear algebra, differential equations, and real analysis.
- World Scientific / Dover / Springer: Academic publishers known for producing textbooks and monographs in science and engineering; used here to identify editions cited by participants.
Reader FAQ
Which books were named in the discussion?
The thread mentions John Dirk Walecka’s multi-volume set (World Scientific), Robert Sproull’s Modern Physics (Dover), S.H. Patil’s Elements of Modern Physics (Springer), and Ivanov’s Soviet-era Fundamentals of Physics.
Is Walecka’s material suitable for self-study?
A commenter said Walecka’s Topics is an excellent intermediate resource if you study undergraduate mathematics in parallel; otherwise it can be difficult to keep up (confirmed in the source).
Are recommendations for mathematics background texts provided?
Not confirmed in the source.
Are these books up to date?
The poster described Patil’s Elements as seeming up to date and Sproull’s Dover edition as somewhat old; no formal assessments of currency were provided.
What are some good books which give an overview of all of Modern Physics (or even better, all of Physics)? Mathematical rigour is fine as long as they are clear…
Sources
- Ask HN: Expository/Succinct Books on Modern Physics
- Can you recommend any good books on modern physics …
- 10 Most Searched Physics Textbooks in 2025
- Physics and Astronomy — Book Reviews
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