An Introduction to the Calculus of Variations

Good books on the calculus of variations are not thick on the ground, and this one is pretty good. It is organised around explicating Hamiltonian mechanics, but with mathematical rigor and clarity. Why not 5 stars then? Some proofs skip a lot of steps. There are not a lot of examples. The typesetting is from 509 years ago, with equations and so on in the text not on a separate line. There are few diagrams. If your interest is in physics this is a FAR better book to choose than Sagan.

Thorough, concise, enjoyable and CHEAP book on the Calculus of variations. One of the few mathematics books that is simultaneously rigorous and entertaining. Illustrated with many examples and applications, drawn from physics and engineering. The proofs are brisk, though there is enough there to guide you on your way to complete understanding. A DEFINITE read for any mathematician or scientist!