An Introduction To Mechanics
by Daniel Kleppner, Robert Kolenkow
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Book Summary Information
Author: Daniel Kleppner, Robert KolenkowEdition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 1973-03-01
ISBN: 0070350485
Number of pages: 600
Publisher: McGraw-Hill Science/Engineering/Math
Book Reviews of An Introduction To Mechanics
Book Review: Important Caveats
Summary: 4 Stars
First off, I have great respect for Kleppner and his ability to write challenging problems that can (and will) really bake your noggin while still in most cases producing elegant solutions. However, the other reviewers are absolutely correct when they tell you that a mastery of calculus (through more than a little multivariable) is absolutely critical for being able to get the most out of this book.
In the likely scenario that you're looking to buy this text because it's the 8.012 MIT Physics textbook, be forewarned: when they tell you that you have to really like physics to take 8.012, they are NOT kidding. You can't be apathetic, or ambivalent, or vaguely gravitated towards physics - you have to ENJOY IT. As a freshman who had never taken multivariable to any significant degree nor even studied calculus-based physics, I can tell you right now that I really wish I'd taken 8.01 instead. Still, if your problem-solving skills are up to scratch and you can conceptualize in your head till the cows come home, by all means, go for it. Just don't expect it to be your high school physics textbook - No Recording 8.012 means you have to take 8.011, which will cost you an extra semester of Physics. Kleppner doesn't baby you, and shouldn't, so be prepared for a long haul.
Back to the book: the walkthroughs are pretty clear so long as you don't try to skim them, and genuinely sit down and follow them. The problems are pretty challenging, so expect to lose a little (or a lot of) sleep over them if your time management skills are lacking. The examples are good, but as I said, the chapter material isn't going to hand you the solutions to the problems, so I suspect most of you will have to stretch to solve them on your own. I would say it probably helps to have a study buddy (or 6) to work with, so you can bounce off interpretations of the material to help it stick. All in all, an excellent book for getting a new college student into the extra rigor of higher education. Just don't delude yourself into thinking that reading the book equals knowing the material. You're going to have to work for that Pass. Best of luck.
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