‘An Introduction to Elementary Particles’ by David Griffiths is one of the most enjoyable text books I have ever read. It covers basic particle physics, Feynman diagrams and Feynman calculus, basic experimental setups in the realm of high-energy physics and more. The author is well regarded as one of the most readable undergraduate physics textbook writer (also known for his intro quantum mechanics book), but this topic is his specialty and he really shines in presenting it. Even for those without a background in physics, the first chapter has a great exposition of the historical developments of the mid 1900′s that led to the modern standard model. After that he goes into Feynman diagrams which is also quite approachable and interesting without any significant background. The later chapters then actually go into Feynman calculus and would be less readable to those without at least one course in quantum mechanics.
‘An Introduction to Elementary Particles’ by David Griffiths is one of the most enjoyable text books I have ever read. It covers basic particle physics, Feynman diagrams and Feynman calculus, basic experimental setups in the realm of high-energy physics and more. The author is well regarded as one of the most readable undergraduate physics textbook writer (also known for his intro quantum mechanics book), but this topic is his specialty and he really shines in presenting it. Even for those without a background in physics, the first chapter has a great exposition of the historical developments of the mid 1900′s that led to the modern standard model. After that he goes into Feynman diagrams which is also quite approachable and interesting without any significant background. The later chapters then actually go into Feynman calculus and would be less readable to those without at least one course in quantum mechanics.