Introduction to Vector Analysis

This book is not for the anal math dud/dudette going for a PhD. If Engineers learned math the way mathematicians wanted, engineers would be in school for 7 years and graduate with a math and an engineering degree. In one math class I had to prove that 1 is not equal to zero. This is not that type of book. If you're an engineer that wants to apply vector analysis to engineering problems you might want to check it out. I liked it and more importantly I understood it.

This text presents each subject in a very clear manner. Every subject is developed in concise proofs that are easy to remember and satisfying to those who require mathematical proofs to understand the derivation of the subjects but are not interested in long-winded theory. After each section's quick and dirty derivation, the authors provide a small yet effective selection of challenging questions to be able to gain confidence in the subject. The style of the book is also refreshing in this age of heavy books with flashy photos and wasted space. This book includes 408 pages full of useful mathematics and vector diagrams but nothing else; the book is very light and small. This is a classic.

This book provides a great reference for people studying the physical sciences. I'm a Ph.D. student in Physical Chemistry and have been using it extensively to help out with some other courses. It might not be as good for someone with a more puritanical or abstract interest, e.g. a mathematician, but it's great for anyone that needs a handy reference that explains the rudiments of vector analysis.

I just finished a class on Vector Analysis that used this book. This book is good for those who are interested in vectors. The authors start off with the basics and then move quickly to the more difficult lessons. Basically this text treats the material the same as a calculus text does with a couple of exceptions. First, the book moves more quickly than a calculus text, so if you are shaky on the first part i would advise having a calculus book there with you. Second, this book shows the proofs in a more precise manner that the calculus text that I used (Stewart). You study the same equations and theories, but now you have harder exercises to do at the end of the chapter (with most of the answers in the back of the book). So I would recommend this book to those interested in vectors who are familiar with them. Otherwise you may want to look at a calculus book to get up to speed first.

I read it and I think it is *really* good (!) It avoids the abstract mathematical notation, but all the concepts are clearly explained, with lots of figures, and deep geometrical and physical intuition. I read many books on this subject in order to understand fluid mechanics and elementary electromagnetism, this is the best one. Even better than many physics books ! I don't know lots about mathematicians, but as a physician, you just have to read it !