[cabinpark]

What's a thing explainer? But unfortunately since quantum computing is still really only an academic pursuit, you're only going to find technical literature or dumbed down to the point of not being worth it.

Saying that, there is one book I like called Quantum Processes Systems, and Information by Schumacher (who coined the term qubit) and Westmoreland since it is an introductory text and has a good discussion of the basics of quantum computing. It does, however, assume you are a physics student with a good understanding of linear algebra.

[JimmyM]

This is a reference to Thing Explainer, the Randall Munroe book - https://xkcd.com/thing-explainer/

I think since so much quantum physics depends on maths, which in turn depends on highly specialised terminology or at least symbols, you are right that a Thing Explainer might have serious difficulty with quantum physics. A broad overview probably wouldn't have a serious advantage over the various lay explanations and thought experiments that are floating around at the moment. But as a non-physics student with an imperfect understanding of linear algebra, I would love to be proven wrong!

[lovelearning]

I really appreciate your recommendation.

I did not major in physics, but I have studied and applied linear algebra and have fairly good intuition for it.

It seems to me then that I should study some intermediate physics (books or courses) before studying the Schumacher book. Do you have any recommendations for that? Thanks in advance.

[rubidium]

Learning a bit of Quantum Mechanics is going to be more helpful than anything else in physics to understand quantum computing.

Introduction to Quantum Mechanics by Griffiths is a standard undergrad text. The math is all "simple" (linear algebra and calculus). It's the learning a new way to think about the world that's the hard part.

[lovelearning]

Thank you!