The Ideas of Particle Physics

From relativity and quantum mechanics through to the newest theories, G. D. Coughlan and J. E. Dodd trace the theoretical development of particle physics, along with its history and the most important recent experiments. Their introduction sits between standard textbooks and popular accounts that assume little scientific background, and it is aimed at readers with training in the physical sciences, including physics students who want an overview before working through the formalism. The second edition was revised throughout and added four chapters, on quantum gravity, super-unification, superstrings, and the links between particle physics and cosmology.

It is on the shelves of books Eric Weinstein shared on Twitter, the ones that mattered enough for him to keep after an office clear-out.