The Odd Quantum

Like a master craftsman intent on reducing his accumulated skills into a compendium of traditions and practices for his apprentices, Treiman tries to be as clear, precise, and succinct as possible. A vast store of experience in research and teaching informs every page. ---Hans Christian von Baeyer, Science For quantum mechanics fans looking for a bridge between books that provide vague, qualitative descriptions and those that require an extensive background in mathematics to be understood, Sam Treiman's The Odd Quantum offers a concise introduction to the field's concepts and practices, as well as guides to its most essential equations. * Publishers Weekly * Treiman's book is outstanding. . . . This is not at all a qualitative pictorial description of the quantum world, but a rigorous formulation of its axioms in a casual language. . . . [A] wonderful guided tour through quantum mechanics. ---Asher Peres, Physics World A concise and beautifully written summary of an expert's view of the subject. ---Barry R. Holstein, American Journal of Physics In Treiman's book, we have as good a shot as we may hope for an intelligible (if demanding) account of a very advanced topic in physics. He covers much material in a short space. . . . An exposition of how the exciting intellectual tool of quantum theory has grown in scope and application. ---Brian Pippard, Times Literary Supplement Writing for persons with a background in physics or mathematics, [Treiman] does an excellent job of looking at the difficult and unusual aspects of theory. * Choice *