Looking for best books on quantum physics, electrodynamics

[CARN0T]

I hope this isn't too "tame" to announce here--

Our little town library lacks any really useful books on science.  I am the head of a committe to correct this fault, to recommend books to purchase.

How about recommendations on books that are nearly readable but also thorough in their teaching of science topics?  I know a few old books, but nothing new.  I am assuming an undergraduate college level reader.  Books in modern physics (e.g., quantum) and electricity and magnetism are of particular interest but all topics are welcome.

Ernie Rogers
Pleasant Grove, Utah

[jadaro2600]

MIT OPEN Courseware

[Frederic2k1]

Here is an online version of the "Divine Cosmos"...
In my opinion the most amazing book about this topic.

http://www.divinecosmos.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=category&sectionid=6&id=20&Itemid=36

[Steven Dufresne]

These two are on difficult topics explained in an easy to understand way with mostly text and illustrations - no mathematics. Feynman was a master explainer.
"QED: The Strange Theory of Light and Matter" by Richard P. Feynman
"Six Easy Pieces"  by Richard P. Feynman

These are excellent College level physics books, heavy on the math. I usually skip the math and make out just fine with his explanations.
"The Feynman Lectures on Physics" Volumes 1 to 3

These are excellent College level physics textbooks.
"Fundamentals of Physics" Volumes 1 to 3 by David Halliday, Robert Recnick, Jearl Walker

More recent ones...

This one's used a lot by the chip makers in Silicon Valley. College level. Heavy on the mathematics.
"Collective Electrodynamics: Quantum Foundations of Electrodynamics" by Carver A. Mead

This one has some formulas throughout but leaves the bulk of the math to the last third.
"Schrodinger's Universe: Einstein, Waves & the Origin of the Natural Laws" by Milo Wolff

-Steve
http://rimstar.org   http://wsminfo.org

[Magnethos]

Books are like friends: more quality and less quantity. 

I prefer to study electricity and related fields from books that don't talk about electricity. For example, now I'm learning some non-orthdox electricity and magnetism from a medicine book.

Electricity is all, so anyone can learn about it in different books. The only things I have learnt about electricity, I read it in very technical books or an easy self-learning electronics book.