There are two excellent textbooks that can be used for this course both of which include all the material to be presented in P235W at the correct mathematical level.

1) "Classical Mechanics" by John R. Taylor, (University Science Books). This is a newly published book that well matches the sequence and topics to be taught in this class. It addresses both Lagrangian and Hamiltonian physics at an appropriate level for this course. This book is recommended because it presents beautifully written explanations of the physics. Unfortunately the problems assigned are too easy.

2) "Classical Dynamics of Particles and Systems" 5th edition, by Thornton and Marion, (Thompson). Note that the 5th edition was published July 2003 and is better than the 4th edition. This is a very good textbook that addresses Lagrangian and Hamiltonian physics at an appropriate level for this course. The presentation is more mathematical but the physics explanations of the physics less clear than in Taylor. The assigned problems in this book are much better than those given in Taylor.

Taylor is the preferred textbook for this course because of the clarity of the physics explantations, but Thornton and Marion is an equally acceptable alternative. A survey of the textbook preference of students at the end of P235W during 2005 showed a slight preference for Taylor. Inspect these books and select the one you prefer. These books will be stocked at the UR Bookstore as well as being available at on-line vendors. Note that it is not unnecessary to purchase both textbooks which are expensive; a fairly complete set of lecture notes will be handed out during lectures to be used in parallel with the textbook, assigned homework problems will be written out in full on the P235W website, and several copies of both Marion and Thornton plus Taylor will be on reserve in the Physics Library.

In addition to using the lecture notes and one of the above textbooks, it may be necessary to refer to other textbooks to clarify concepts and study examples. The following textbooks are on reserve in the Physics and Astronomy Library. Unfortunately they are either too advanced, too elementary, or riddled with errors.
3) "Classical Mechanics, 2nd edition" by Goldstein (Addison-Wesley). This is the gold standard for graduate texts in this field. This superbly written book is too advanced for this course but may be of use as an advanced reference.
4) "Classical Dynamics: by J.V. Jose and E.J. Saletan, (Cambridge University press) An excellent advanced text similar in level to Goldstein.
5) "Lagrangian and Hamiltonian Mechanics", M.G. Calkin, (World Scientific). A more condensed book at a slightly more advanced text than recommended for this course.
6) "Introduction to Classical Mechanics, 2nd edition" Atam P. Arya (Prentice Hall). A text at an appropriate level for this course.
7) "Classical Mechanics" by Tai L. Chow (Wiley) This textbook is at the correct level. Unfortunately it is riddled with so many mistakes it was withdrawn by the publisher. It may be useful for looking at concepts but useless for looking at examples.
8) "Analytical Mechanics" Fowles and Cassiday (Saunders). Not as advanced as required but may be useful as a reference.