<story><title>Ask HN: Which books in your field do you think are perfect for self study?</title><text>In almost every field there are encyclopedic reference books which are for experienced people to look up stuff when needed.&lt;p&gt;Then there are books with wonderful prose that are suitable for self learners that want to learn the topic for the first time.&lt;p&gt;Can you name some books of the second type in your field of study?</text></story><parent_chain></parent_chain><comment><author>earl_gray</author><text>Richard Hamming’s “Methods of Mathematics Applied to Calculus, Probability, and Statistics” is a wonderful introduction to calculus from one of those rare individuals who mastered the interplay between applications of mathematics and its theory. It’s packed with insights from a true veteran. He aims to teach you to view and interact with mathematics as a living, breathing, occasionally messy but beautiful thing; and in my opinion he manages to do so with a rare humanity.&lt;p&gt;He was one of the gems of mathematical exposition. If you’ve studied any information theory you probably know his surname well. His other books are also excellent.&lt;p&gt;It begins with a lovely quotation: “every scientist owes a labour of love to his field”. His work embodies that.
There are lots of exercises, and it includes answers to enough of them for you to check you’re on the right track.</text></comment>
<story><title>Ask HN: Which books in your field do you think are perfect for self study?</title><text>In almost every field there are encyclopedic reference books which are for experienced people to look up stuff when needed.&lt;p&gt;Then there are books with wonderful prose that are suitable for self learners that want to learn the topic for the first time.&lt;p&gt;Can you name some books of the second type in your field of study?</text></story><parent_chain></parent_chain><comment><author>booboofixer</author><text>Computer Networking: A top-down approach&lt;p&gt;The authors seem to be making video lectures for the book now too.
&lt;a href=&quot;http:&amp;#x2F;&amp;#x2F;gaia.cs.umass.edu&amp;#x2F;kurose_ross&amp;#x2F;online_lectures.htm&quot; rel=&quot;nofollow&quot;&gt;http:&amp;#x2F;&amp;#x2F;gaia.cs.umass.edu&amp;#x2F;kurose_ross&amp;#x2F;online_lectures.htm&lt;/a&gt;</text></comment>