Reviews
The Quantum Menagerie
A Tutorial Introduction to the
Mathematics of Quantum Mechanics
James V Stone
ÒA wonderful resource for anyone who wants to teach themselves quantum mechanics for real. You will learn the necessary math, but the real emphasis is on conceptual understanding -- Stone's book explains why things work a certain way, rather than just asserting that they do. It dispels the mystery from an intimidating subject.Ó
Sean Carroll, Research Professor, Caltech, author of Something Deeply Hidden.
ÒAn informative and accessible introduction to the bizarre world of quantum mechanics and the different interpretations of the mathematical formalism. Stone's clear, organised style makes difficult concepts seem simple.Ó
Ian Stewart, Emeritus Professor of Mathematics, Fellow of the Royal Society, University of Warwick.
ÒThe Quantum Menagerie is a
wonderfully clear introduction to the notoriously demanding subject of quantum
mechanics. Uniquely it blends the
history of the field, including the work of Planck, Einstein, and others, with
a splendidly lucid, step-by-step approach to the maths behind its key findings.
James Stone explains milestone results that might appear abstract at first
glance, such as Bell's inequality, in a delightfully visual manner. Recommended
to anyone who would like to understand the formalism of quantum mechanics and
needs the guidance of a seasoned explorer.Ó
Paul Halpern, author of Synchronicity and The Quantum Labyrinth.
ÒIn this lively and entertaining
book, James Stone traces the development of Quantum Mechanics, explaining how
its salient features were born from pure guesswork, or, in some cases, sheer
desperation, as scientists faced observations that refused to fit into the
framework of classical physics. Dr Stone describes the problematic aspects of
Quantum Mechanics, and the failed attempts to fix them, which in some cases led
to the experimental confirmation of some of Quantum Mechanics more mind-blowing
predictions. This book is written at a level suitable for beginning
undergraduates.Ó
Richard
Fitzpatrick, Professor of Physics, University of Texas at Austin.
ÒStone's Quantum Menagerie is a terrific tour of the mathematical underpinnings of quantum mechanics. It provides a gentle introduction to unfamiliar mathematical concepts and their application to quantum physics. This book has been particularly useful to biology students on the Quantum Biology Doctoral Training Centre at the University of Surrey, most of whom have very little training in mathematics.Ò
Professor Johnjoe McFadden, Director, Leverhulme Quantum Biology Doctoral Training Centre, University of Surrey, UK.
Comments from PhD students at the Quantum Biology Doctoral Training Centre, University of Surrey.
ÒA great, no-nonsense, pragmatic, introduction to the foundations of quantum mechanics. I particularly enjoyed the the glossary and appendices, which were immensely useful.Ò
Louie Slocombe.
ÒThis book offers a great overview of quantum mechanics, providing an informal relaxed experience for beginners, in addition to more advanced theory and maths for experienced readers.Ò
Lucy Ridout.
ÒComing from a biological background with little knowledge of physics, I definitely fall within the target audience. The book is very well written and easy to follow. It uses a very good combination of diagrams, equations and most importantly comparisons that enabled me to visualize and understand the complex experiments and extraordinary behaviour of quantum mechanics. Additionally, the chapters are divided into numerous subheadings that allows the reader to go back and forth between sections with ease to recap on specific topics. Overall, a great book.Ò
Alejandro Sanchez-Pedreno Jimenez.