The Theoretical Minimum

Overview

The book is a mathematical introduction to various theoretical physics concepts, such as principle of least action, Lagrangian mechanics, Hamiltonian mechanics, Poisson brackets, and electromagnetism. It is the first book in a series called The Theoretical Minimum, based on Stanford Continuing Studies courses taught by world renowned physicist Leonard Susskind. The courses collectively teach everything required to gain a basic understanding of each area of modern physics, including all of the fundamental mathematics.

Core Course 1: Classical Mechanics

The book, also published in 2014 by Penguin Books under the title Classical Mechanics: The Theoretical Minimum (ISBN 978-0141976228), is complemented by video recordings of the complete lectures which are available on-line.

Core Course 2: Quantum Mechanics

The second book in the series, by Leonard Susskind and Art Friedman, was published in 2014 by Basic Books under the title Quantum Mechanics: The Theoretical Minimum (ISBN 978-0465062904).Video recordings of the complete lectures are available on-line.

Core Courses 3-6

Lectures in the remaining four courses, on

are available on-line as video recordings.

Supplemental Courses

Further lecture courses in the Theoretical Minimum series have been delivered by Prof. Susskind, on

and these are also available on-line as video recordings.