Solid State Physics - Kittel 8th ed.

[TheReasoner]

Alas, we have a mandatory solid state physics course this semester.
I love the related math and have enjoyed all my previous physics courses. This time though... *shiver*

Well, let me just ask straight out: Anyone here familiar with Charles Kittel's "Introduction to Solid State Physics"?
Second: Do anyone here know of a worse physics book? (Something out of Bob Jones University* does not count)

He's obviously extremely skilled. However, the book is simply terrible as an educational book. Even so, for some reason quite a few universities choose it. I've had a few bad ones, but in my opinion I haven't had one which is worse than this.

My own tip, if there is anyone here about to take a course with this book... Ask your professor for supplementary literature he/she can recommend. It's an alright book if you are already very familiar with the subject, or so they say. But to use it to learn it from... Bad idea IMO.

*
The university which published this: http://imgur.com/Wnqi1.jpg and later on defends it is not qualified to write or publish a book on solid state physics.

 

[Farinata]

My condolences. I had to use Kittel for thermodynamics back in the day and I think it's fair to say he isn't the best educator.

As for worse physics books... maybe Jackson? Depends how masochistic and mathematically oriented you are.

 

[sfs]

I have no memory of what textbook I used for solid state, nor do I remember anything about solid state physics -- which suggests that the textbook might have been Kittel. Jackson, on the other hand, I remember vividly, with both dread and affection.