Physics for Mathematicians: Mechanics I

by Michael Spivak

“Physics for Mathematicians, Mechanics I” by Michael Spivak is a unique and comprehensive text that bridges the gap between advanced mathematics and physics. Written by the renowned mathematician Michael Spivak, this book offers a fresh perspective on physics, making complex concepts accessible to those with a strong mathematical background. Spivak delves into both elementary and advanced physics, presenting the material in a way that is engaging and comprehensible. His writing style makes learning physics enjoyable and less daunting, even for those who have always found the subject challenging. The author’s motivation for writing this book is deeply personal. As he explains in the preface, Spivak wrote this work to learn the subject himself in a form that he finds comprehensible. This personal journey adds a unique touch to the book, making it a travelogue of an innocent abroad in a very different field. This hardcover edition, published by Publish or Perish, contains 749 pages of detailed content. The ISBN for this edition is 978-0914098324. Whether you are a student, a professional, or simply someone with a keen interest in the intersection of mathematics and physics, this book is a valuable resource that you will find both informative and enjoyable. solutions available via

Genres: Physics, Mathematics, Textbooks, Science

734 pages, Hardcover

First published December 6, 2010

About the author

Michael David Spivak was a mathematician specializing in differential geometry, an expositor of mathematics, and the founder of Publish-or-Perish Press. He is the author of the five-volume Comprehensive Introduction to Differential Geometry. He received a Ph.D. from Princeton University under the supervision of John Milnor in 1964.

His book Calculus takes a very rigorous and theoretical approach to introductory calculus. It is used in calculus courses, particularly those with a pure mathematics emphasis, at many universities.

Spivak's book Calculus on Manifolds (often referred to as little Spivak) is also rather infamous as being one of the most difficult undergraduate mathematics textbooks.