A good quantum mechanics book for the self-learner?

[dextercioby]

It would be bad if that book were at the level of 'rigor' as Sakurai's Modern QM text. Basically the only rigor I saw in Sakurai's book was in proper usage of the techniques of complex analysis.

 

[WannabeNewton]

It would be bad if that book were at the level of 'rigor' as Sakurai's Modern QM text. Basically the only rigor I saw in Sakurai's book was in proper usage of the techniques of complex analysis.

Lol you got to love how Sakurai introduces kets and bras without ever mentioning what dual spaces are (heck I don't even remember if he defines what a vector space is xD).

 

[bigQ]

Quantum mechanics by Linus Pauling (you can get it on archive.org ) and Griffiths of course.

 

[pillow47]

Based off of the Amazon preview, this book looks quite similar, in exposition and level of rigor, to Sakurai's text. If you have used Sakurai yourself, would you say Townsend's book is unequivocally better than Sakurai's text? Or at least to first order ?

Sakurai is a classic. But I think Townsend is a better book for undergraduates. It's more approachable and more patient in its exposition.

 

[Ellis1644]

For a really basic intro to am then try open university books for their level 3 course in quantum mechanics. Assumes the reader has little knowledge of qm and the required maths is basic. All further maths needed is taught within the books. Since the OU specialises in self learning it should be a good starting point, but it's just an intro. Doesn't really delve into much formalism and only touches on advanced stuff such as entanglement

 

[JPKelly6]

I was going to try these 2 texts for QM:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1891389629/?tag=pfamazon01-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/019539349X/?tag=pfamazon01-20

I plan to read Smith's book 1st. Anyone have experience with them?

JPK