The Feynman Lectures on Physics
by Richard Phillips Feynman · first published 1963
55% recommend43% neutral2% critical
Why HN recommends it
Feynman's conversational, intuition-first explanations make physics click, from calculus and tensors to quantum amplitudes in Vol. III. Suits self-learners with some math who want depth and a feel for the subject.
Common criticism: Some say it works better as a companion than a first introduction
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
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…to write down my personal list for those who love to learn: - The Art of Computer Programming - Algorithms (by Dasgupta, Papadimitriou, and Vazirani) - Algorithm Design (by Kleinberg and Tardos) - Feynman Lectures on Physics - Landau & Lifschitz's series - Vladimir Arnold's books on ODEs and Classical Mechanics - Winning Ways for your Mathematical Plays (by Berlekamp et al.) - Elements of Information Theory (by Cover…
on “Reading list for those who love to learn” ↗…book such as 5 Steps to a 5 AP Physics B&C is probably a good idea. If you go this route, try to negotiate with your school to get course credit for your independent study. P.S. At some point, read The Feynman Lectures on Physics. FLP doesn't make for a good introduction, but after you have a foundation it's gold.
on “Ask HN: How can I start learning physics?” ↗…(Descartes), simple Calculus (Newton), conservation of momentum (Newton again), the Newtonian theory of gravity (Newton again) and the Special Theory of Relativity (Einstein). Furthermore if you pick up The Feynman Lectures on Physics you will find understandable expositions of all of these, and plenty more. All are covered, along with a great many other things, in the first half of the first book alone. Often a major concept, such…
on “How to Deconstruct Almost Anything, by a Software Engineer” ↗…productivity) 'The Way of the Superior Man' - David Deida (on relationships) 'The prince' - Machiavelli' (on business and strategy) 'The little prince' - Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (on meaning of life) 'The Feynman Lectures on Physics' - Richard Feynman' (to remember you to be humble) A lot of other books had broaden my perspective of life even if they weren't enough to trigger a change. That list would be immense.
on “Ask HN: What are the books that changed the perspective of your life?” ↗…philosophy that I read (Marco Aurelio or Seneca are good too). The Willpower Instinct: How Self-Control Works, Why It Matters, and What You Can Do to Get More of It - McGonigal, Kelly. Great book The Feynman Lectures on Physics - Feynman, Richard - He is a great teacher, you will love physics even if you didn´t like it. Stumbling on Happiness - Gilbert, Daniel Todd - Great book about how our mind works I had to survive - Roberto…
on “Ask HN: Books you read in 2016?” ↗Feynman Lectures on Physics http://www.feynmanlectures.caltech.edu/
on “Ask HN: What are your recommended reads that are available for free?” ↗The Feynman Lectures on Physics - Vol III
on “Ask HN: What's the best book on quantum mechanics you've ever read?” ↗…your attitude, and a willingness to really walk through and understand the proof of a theorem, and a willingness to work through problems. Having said that, here's what I did: Go through the chapter in Feynman Lectures on Physics, Volume I, where he starts with integers and goes through trigonometry until he winds up at Euler's Theorem. Do this, and you'll really understand numbers (as well as algebra and trig). Then I went through…
on “Learning Math” ↗…by R. Dale Guthrie (published 2006). http://www.amazon.com/Nature-Paleolithic-Art-Dale-Guthrie/dp/0226311260/ The Road to Reality: A Complete Guide to the Laws of the Universe, by Roger Penrose. The Feynman Lectures on Physics. Lots of HN readers suggest reading lots of Feynman, and I agree. Godel Escher Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid has been recommended by multiple HN readers in most threads like this. Robert Pirsig's book…
on “Ask HN: Books That Gratify One's Intellectual Curiosity?” ↗…them as things to read for enjoyment (Origin of the Species or The Bible, for instance). So here's my list of 8 for things that you'll probably never finish, but extract huge value from anyway. -Richard Feynman Lectures on Physics - religion -Donald Knuth Art of Computer Programming - I can fuck around with manuals, other text books, but when I come to read the explanation of a particular concept in TAOCP, I always realise "this…
on “Neil DeGrasse Tyson’s Eight Books Everyone Should Read” ↗…/r/physics, you'd find plenty of people who have a favorite textbook. For example, I'd say Apostol's "Calculus", volume 1, is a favorite textbook of mine. I've read it 3 or 4 times over the last 30 years. The Feynman Lectures on Physics are another favorite of mine. > 4x more expensive/less accessible/same form factor (that's from their infographic, comparing textbooks in the '60s to now. It was on three lines there, which I've…
on “$8M in Funding and a Lawsuit to Boot? Game on.” ↗It’s worth noting (much to my surprise) that the Feynman lectures on physics weren’t written entirely by Feynman. I’ve often wondered whether the wonderful conversational style I’ve associated with him is actually him, or one of his contemporaries. Either way, this is a great…
on “Probability (1963)” ↗…you a "heads up" to check out the Books & Arts section in the upcoming December 5th edition of Nature (International weekly journal of science), where there will be a very nice two-page spread about The Feynman Lectures on Physics written by Rob Phillips (Fred and Nancy Morris Professor of Biophysics and Biology at Caltech). I hope you enjoy FLP Vol. III. It is my personal favorite of the three volumes! [Regarding Volume II: 10…
on “The Feynman Lectures on Physics, Volume III” ↗Reading the Feynman Lectures on Physics is a lot to ask of anyone, even many physicists. But if you'd like to appreciate a gem, crack open Volume I and read Chapter 22 - "Algebra". He starts with the ability to count integers, and then proceeds…
on “Richard Feynman: Cargo Cult Science (1974)” ↗…haven't read it, but there is a: Structure and Interpretation of Classical Mechanics https://mitpress.mit.edu/books/structure-and-interpretation-... ...with Gerald Sussman as one of the authors. The Feynman Lectures on Physics might be what you are looking for: https://www.feynmanlectures.caltech.edu/
on “Ask HN: What Is the SICP of Physics?” ↗