Book Reviewed: The Theoretical Minimum: What You Need to Know to Start Doing Physics, by Leonard Susskind & George Hrabovsky

An easy guide to learn classical mechanics

This is one of the best books to learn the math behind classical physics. Written beautifully by Stanford University Professor Lenny Susskind, and George Hrabovsky, it provides strong introduction to classical dynamics/Newtonian physics for college-level students of physics, chemistry, engineering, philosophy, and others interested in understanding the physical reality.

This book begins at the simplest level. It develops the basics and reinforces fundamentals, ensuring a solid foundation in the principles and methods like calculus. Vectors, integral calculus, and partial differentiation (dynamics) is introduced at the basic level. It is very well explained to do math. The highlight of the book includes space and time (coordinates), particles (matter), energy (kinetic and potential), motion in spacetime coordinates, momentum, electric & magnetic forces, force of gravity, acceleration, and energy. Application of Newton’s laws of physics, principles of least action, symmetries, conservation laws, Hamiltonian mechanics and invariance of time-translation are fascinating. You have everything you need to get mathematical perspectives of classical physical reality.

I read the book from beginning to end; and revised a second time, I got a much better understanding of the calculus. There are companion videos on YouTube from Lenny Susskind which is helpful. Mechanics and calculus are also described by many other physicists on YouTube that also assist in your learning experience. You can do this at your own pace. This book is enjoyable to read, and it is highly recommended.