Group Theory: An Intuitive Approach [Paperback]

R. Mirman (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 9810233655 | ISBN-13: 978-9810233655 | Publication Date: June 1995

A thorough introduction to group theory, this (highly problem-oriented) book goes deeply into the subject to provide a fuller understanding than available anywhere else. The book aims at, not only teaching the material, but also helping to develop the skills needed by a researcher and teacher, possession of which will be highly advantageous in these very competitive times, particularly for those at the early, insecure, stages of their careers. And it is organized and written to serve as a reference to provide a quick introduction giving the essence and vocabulary useful for those who need only some slight knowledge, those just learning, as well as researchers, and especially for the latter it provides a grasp, and often material and perspective, not otherwise available.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

A thorough introduction to group theory, this (highlyproblem-oriented) book goes deeply into the subject to provide afuller understanding than is available anywhere else. It aims not onlyto teach the material, but also to help develop the skills needed byresearchers and teachers. It is organized and written to serve as areference to provide a quick introduction of the subjects, giving theessence and vocabulary useful for those needing only some slightknowledge. As for those just learning, and especially for researcherstoo, this book provides some new material and a different perspectivenot available elsewhere. It is also an attempt to show that it ispossible for a book to be useful to many diverse groups (of people)simultaneously. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 492 pages
• Publisher: World Scientific Publishing Company (June 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9810233655
• ISBN-13: 978-9810233655
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #828,710 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A different kind of introduction to group theory for physicists, October 28, 2011

By 

Ulfilas (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Group Theory: An Intuitive Approach (Paperback)

When I first read Tinkham's book Group Theory and Quantum Mechanics thirty years ago, I found his treatment easy to follow. Mirman's book, however, is not as easy for me to digest. For me, the introduction of group character makes group theory appealing, understandable, and obviously powerful. Mirman, however, does not introduce the concept of group character until the middle of the book, while Tinkham introduces group character at the very beginning. Tinkham also uses the group of an equilateral triangle at the very beginning of his book and uses it to illustrate group character. Tinkham's book, in turn, is modeled on Wigner's Group Theory and Its Application to the Quantum Mechanics of Atomic Spectra. Although Mirman deserves credit for formulating a more original textbook (i.e. one substantially different from Wigner's), the result is a book that most beginners would find too detailed or abstract.

I should also say that I find the author's somewhat Socratic style of exposition rather distracting. Too many sections are punctuated with questions and problems that interfere with the flow of the narrative.

So here is the bottom line: if you are a physicist or physics student who is unfamiliar with group theory, read Tinkham. If you have already read Tinkham, Heine's Group Theory in Quantum Mechanics: An Introduction to Its Present Usage (Dover Books on Physics), or other books modeled on Wigner, you might benefit from taking a look at Mirman.

16 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good INTRODUCTION into group theory., August 27, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Group Theory: An Intuitive Approach (Paperback)

The first thing to say: you need time to read this book. It is written in a "prosa"-style but nevertheless it covers a lot of topics. If you have never heard anything about group theory than that is your choise. It's not written in the pure algebraic-style but illustrates the subject with a lot of (common) examples.

3 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Totally ambiguous and weird, April 5, 2009

By 

Liguo Kong (Waterloo, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Group Theory: An Intuitive Approach (Paperback)

I have read some bad books. But this one is the most ambiguous one I have ever seen. Totally unclear, drives you crazy.