Mere thermodynamics

This text provides a condensed overview of classical thermodynamics, covered at pace and enlivened with historical asides. It is not a book for the uninitiated. To fully benefit, students will need to have taken an introductory thermodynamics course beforehand and have the concepts uppermost in their minds. However, the book does repay careful and conscientious study. The text is brief but lucidly written and enjoyable to read, although it is careful to restrict content to classical thermodynamics. Physical insight is therefore limited to that obtainable with a classical viewpoint. Students seeking microscopic level explanations of phenomena may wish to look elsewhere, as there are many other standard texts available.

Who is it for? Physics undergraduates taking a second course in thermodynamics.

Presentation: Concentrated but lucid text with proofs interspersed, with brief treatments of thermodynamic applications.

Would you recommend it? Yes, as an interesting and informative supplement to other textbooks.