Numerical Methods in Physics with Python 2nd Edition

There are a number of good numerical methods books out there, such as Suli and Mayers, but very few with an emphasis on how these problems arise in physics. Even better, each chapter has a long project and many, many worked problems throughout the book that have direct relevance in particle physics and many other fields. This book is quite unique in this respect, and I simply don't know why the 1-star reviewer below seems to think there is nothing new here!

I saw a bad review for this book and I’m quite surprised. It is a nice book, and Gezerlis is a talented educator and scientist. I wish I had had this book as an undergrad. There is lots of good stuff in here. Not to mention that Python is widely used in modern scientific computing, so having worked examples including code is a very valuable resource for students.

I pre-ordered this book because of the information available at that time. Alas, what a disappointment. There is absolutely nothing new - I did not get any insight on the subject matter. I could have accessed them by simple google search and within two seconds I could have all info and insight I needed - including how to solve relevant non-trivial problems from all areas of Physics and on how to write good, robust, readable and easily understandable code - any programming 101 class teaches them. And after going through programming 101 class, one will not write code like given in this book. This book is very good example of how NOT to write code!!There are plenty of Problems at the end of each chapter - with info on how to proceed. Umm..well known problems around for a long time and I know how to proceed. Some solutions provided but they are trivial - e.g., how to implement argmax and reverse search. Besides, one can find plenty of problems at the end of a chapter on any Physics text book. I don't need to spend $60+ for these type of info - especially not for copious number of problems. Again the solved problems are straight forward - one can easily find them on internet also.When you open the book first page has the std name etc and you flip the page and see praises!! I don't have a single book - old or new - that has praises printed on the first page(well technically second page). This book will not help in learning python nor can it serve as a reference. Same info could have been put together within 250 page - and there are books with way more useful info and insight on solving Physics problems. This book is neither appropriate as Python reference nor as a text book at any level.I returned the book.

The subject is understandably difficult. The solved examples online help a lot. What irritated me was the print format. For example, on the left page, the left margin is 1.5 inches wide and the right format is .25 inches wide. Reversed for right side pages. The problem is that I can't just prop up the book on a stand and read it. When reading the left side pages, I need to hold down the left side of the book in order to read the right side of the page -- near the binding. The margin near the binding should be increased to at least 5/8 inch so the text can be read without needing to hold the left side down or the right side vertically. Either stupid formatting or a lack of quality control in the printing process!