The 10 Best Quantum Mechanics Books

The year 2025 is being celebrated as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology to recognize the 100 years since the quantum mechanics turned the physics upside down. John Wheeler, a legend in physics who coined the term ‘black hole’, once said about the quantum mechanics –

“If you are not completely confused by quantum mechanics, you do not understand it”. 

So if you want to get confused in the best possible way (or to even understand quantum mechanics) you need to follow great books written by some of the legends who were themselves part of the quantum mechanics development and scratched their head to understand it.  Here is list of the top 10 books on quantum mechanics which will either enlighten you or send you spiraling into existential crisis.

1. Quantum Mechanics: The Theoretical Minimum by Leonard Susskind and Art Friedman

This is very good book for beginners. It provides a conceptual foundation and simple but deep explanations.

2. Principles of Quantum Mechanics by R. Shankar

This book has a balance of theory and problem-solving. It provides good mathematical foundations with excellent problem sets.

3. Quantum Mechanics and Path Integrals by  Richard P. Feynman and Albert R. Hibbs

This book is perfect for the researchers those are curious about the Feynman path integral approach to quantum mechanics and want to visualize quantum processes. This helps understanding quantum field theory and quantum computing.

4. Modern Quantum Mechanics by J.J. Sakurai and Jim Napolitano

This is a good book for graduate students and researchers, which covers quantum formalism in an elegant way with focus on symmetries, spin, and quantum entanglement.

5. Quantum Mechanics: A Modern Development by Leslie E. Ballentine

This provides a detailed description on the different interpretations of quantum mechanics.

6. Quantum Mechanics: Concepts and Applications by Nouredine Zettili

Students with problem-solving approaches will find this book fascinating with tons of exercises.

7. Quantum Computation and Quantum Information by Michael A. Nielsen and Isaac L. Chuang

This book provides a brilliant Understanding on quantum computing and quantum information science. Quantum cryptography, error correction, and quantum gates are described in detail.

8. The Feynman Lectures on Physics: Volume 3 by Richard P. Feynman

This is another book by Feynman in the list, which is best for conceptual understanding of quantum mechanics. Feynman’s special teaching style makes the weirdness of the quantum mechanics fun and intuitive.

9. Quantum Field Theory for the Gifted Amateur by Tom Lancaster and Stephen J. Blundell

This is a bit advanced textbook and best for those  transitioning from quantum mechanics to quantum field theory.

10. In Search of Schrödinger’s Cat by John Gribbin

This is my favourite in the list, which covers the philosophical side of quantum mechanics. This book focuses on non-mathematical and storytelling approach and discusses all the quantum weirdness in a unique way

If you found any other book on quantum mechanics fascinating, do share with us.