A Student's Guide to Analytical Mechanics (Student's Guides)

Be advised, this is a really good read, I would buy it again if I lost my digital copy somehow... but also be advised that if you do not understand something as basic (I say that with a cheek... because most don't) as differential equations (or vector calculus)... you won't make it past the intro/review chapter. That is not to say that this book delves into that level of maths with the same intensity as say... college... but references will be lost on those that are trying to begin their analytical studies here... you do in fact need some foundations in math up to at least partial differential calculations...I mean if you don't... here is an example of what you will see, pardon the incorrect notation parlance). I do appreciate the review (F=m*r-double-dot) or (p=m*r-dot) instead of the quaint little F=ma or p = fv... (abridged... ha) as that helped to prepare me for the reminder of naked math test dreams and wandering the halls of my college dorm trying to remember why the "partial" version of everything in maths is so much harder than the non (why isn't less easier??)...Also... why would I write this? Isn't it obvious? I did NOT have the necessary understanding to enjoy this book at first as it said "STUDENT'S" and I guess I just made a really big assumption (my bad)... so after about 18 months of the missing mathematics courses... I was able to return and read this fantastic book! Thanks John... for not just the book, but my new found maths skills... which are mediocre at best but it is a step up from where I was.

This fabulous book from the next Isaac Newton is a terrific tour through classical mechanics and the (sometimes confusing) subtle math behind it. The author starts with F=ma and progresses through Lagrangian mechanics to Hamilton-Jacobi dynamics and action-angle variables. There are many worked examples that will be useful for students and faculty (who need a secret weapon for their courses), and the span from the undergraduate to beginning graduate level is appreciated.The colloquial style is refreshing, and the metaphysical connections to Borges' work are fascinating. The illustrations rival Picasso. Captain Jean-Luc Picard could not have written an equally compelling page-turner, if he decided turn his mind to classical mechanics.

Very nice book, I highly recommend it for a nice student-friendly introduction to analytical mechanics.

The content is well developed and a good level for someone with a calculus background.The Kindle version is bad. On the desktop (Mac version) numerous equations are too small to be read. On the Kindle reader, likewise.On the iPad, if I tap just right twice in a row with the right timing between taps, the equations come up on a new window and two finger spread can enlarge them. Annoying and it makes the content difficult to follow at best.

Probably too early to fully review this book since I am still working thru the problems presented one-by-one on a fairly random basis. Conceptually, I like it but will likely provide an update to this review later with more experience.