Guest post: Best Books on Quantum Physics for the Not-So-Good-At-Science

Billy Valentine

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• A friend recently asked me to recommend books on Quantum Physics. So far here are my favorites ranked by accessibility and fun.

  1. “How to Teach Physics to Your Dog” by Chad Orzel -fun and super accessible

  2. “Voodoo Science: The Road from Foolishness to Fraud” by Robert Park -funny and super accessible

  3. “Einstein: His Life and Universe” by Walter Issacson -huge book and only partially about Quantum Mechanics, but awesome and accessible

  4. “The Physics of Christianity” by Frank Tipler -insanely controversial (some parts I find ridiculous) but unforgettable. Many parts are pretty hardcore, especially the more radical parts

  5. Unfortunately, I can’t find one of my favorites. It is a book about the relationship between Quantum Mechanics and technology. Like the previous books, there is little to no math, and its very interesting. -sorry

  For more hardcore treatments (heading closer to textbook type books):

  “Quantum Physics” by Alistair I.M. Rae -A great way to go to the next level with more math

  “Quantum Mechanics for Applied Physics and Engineering” by Albert Thomas Fromhold -requires undergrad level understanding of math, namely Calculus and Differential Equations.