Introduction to Solid State Physics

This book is still in print! The subject matter covered is up to date and very relevant! Used copies, if in good condition and without markings, are a great deal compared to the price of a new one!

... until I cared about actually learning the topic instead of trying to pass a class and do homework. This text is pretty amazing, and on the level of Landau/Lifshitz's theory of 'every single sentence counts'. It's definitely not a book to pick up and skim to page 300 and pick up a single topic, you have to be in it for the long haul, it is best read straight through from the beginning. I was in the group of people frothing at the mouth over this book, but now I find it very accessible and prefer it to Ashcroft's text. The two books cover roughly the same material (I don't know why people are calling A & M's more advanced), but Kittel definitely has a style you need to get used to. 'Relentless' is a good word, actually. But if you learn to trust what Kittel is trying to do, you will end up in a good place at the end.(And rote memorization never hurt anyone.) He is trying to lay a rough foundation and preparation of things to come, a proper quantum treatment of condensed matter theory. There is a method to his madness, and all of the explanations and examples everyone is looking for are there, in the depths of the figures, context, and periodic tables he provides. Trust in Kittel, he may seem like a sadomasochist at first, but, as many are saying, there is a reason this is a standard text. Like many good texts, the more you hate it at first, the more you love it when you understand it after the fact. Have a good fight with this book. You'll thank Kittel if you continue on in physics.

Quick delivery. Quality product. Substantial source of technical knowledge. Well worth the money. I am a very satisfied customer.

Solid state physics is a difficult subject because it requires a knowledge of quantum mechanics and electrodynamics as applied to condensed matter systems. Of course, it's also necessary to understand classical mechanics for many of the argurments used in say, lattice vibrations and whatnot. Unfortunately, there is no easy way in. All the other introductory solid state books that don't use any mathematics, or minimize its use, do a very poor job of really describing sold state phenomena. Kittel is an excellent author and the range and depth of topics described in this book are really very nice and at just the perfect level. If you think SSP is hard from this book, try looking at any of the "quantum theory of solids" type books, where the "real" physics is done. This stuff gets complicated, and that's just the way it is. The more you learn and understand about SSP, the more you'll appreciate Kittel's book. Don't shy away from Kittel's book if you want an excellent introduction to the topics in SSP. His text is concise, every sentence is carefully constructed. If you prefer this type of exposition over A & M, which is an excellent text also, but very very verbose, then you'll love Kittel.

While at first glance the book can seem daunting, it is an absolute must read for anyone pursuing serious study in solid state physics or materials science. It literally has something on everything. From basic structure to superconductors to semiconductors to magnetics, it's all there. Of all the texts I've ever read, this is the one I return to the most when I'm confused about something, be it advanced or fundamental. It truly is the seminal work in the field.

If you can read through every page of Kittel's ISSP, then you are really tough and understand solid state physics. It is a great book, but it is awful for beginner. You'd better have some sense of solid state physics before you touch it. Jane Y. Howe Ph.D. candidate NYS college of ceramics at alfred university