What is the best text for Physics? I really wish to develop a powerful and thorough understanding of all the basic classical mechanics and E&M, from newton's laws all the way to the Maxwell Equations.

Question

anonymous · Answer

Halliday, Resnick, and Walker is my favorite.

anonymous · Answer

For classical mechanics I'd recommend "Classical Mechanics" by Taylor and for E&M I'd recommend "Introduction to Electrodynamics" by Griffiths. 

If you haven't been exposed to vector algebra and vector calculus both books have a basic introduction of the maths involved, but if you need more background wikipedia will be your friend.

anonymous · Answer

$\text{Sears and Zemansky's University Physics}$ It's really good, you should follow it and most probably you could get ebook too. BTW here is the Google Preview: http://books.google.co.in/books?id=fv1bIkvb-20C&pg=PA238&dq=University+Physics&hl=en&ei=NfuTTvPYJ8HTrQen-7CoBg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CEEQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q&f=false

anonymous · Answer

The Books recommended by montypython are good too, but they are advanced; you should perfect your basics first.

anonymous · Answer

You can Download it from here... http://www.azshare.info/e-books/34894-university-physics-with-modern-physics-13th-edition.html

beefarm · Answer

The Feynmen Lectures on physics. They're not an easy read, but they start simply so if you take the time you can still understand. Also, Feynmen is just awesome. =)

beefarm · Answer

i think the first two(of three) volumes cover the material you specified.