The general attitude adopted towards science is to rush through history to get on with the actual science of it all. While correct that to do science one doesn’t necessarily need to understand how it came to be, without understanding the origin of modern physics, we are merely children doing as we’re told. Science has come a long way, we ought to appreciate it.

The books here are generally agreed upon to be good resources to study the history of physics—to understand how we came from Greek atomism (shout out Leucippus) to wave-particle duality and the standard model. The works below are intended to be directed at the general public. They therefore lack the kind of rigor in a textbook-like approach. They’re great reads nonetheless.

• The Science Of Mechanics, Dr. Ernst Mach. A comprehensive examination of classical mechanics. Mach offers philosophical insights into the nature of scientific knowledge. One of the notable aspects of Mach's approach is his emphasis on the importance of observation and empirical evidence in the development of scientific theories.
• The God Particle: If the Universe Is the Answer, What Is the Question?, Lean Lederman. In this extraordinarily accessible and enormously witty book, the Nobel Prize–winning physicist Leon Lederman guides us on a fascinating tour of the history of particle physics. The book takes us from the Greeks' earliest scientific observations through Einstein and beyond in an inspiring celebration of human curiosity. It ends with the quest for the Higgs boson, nicknamed the God Particle, which scientists hypothesize will help unlock the last secrets of the subatomic universe.
• Cosmos, Carl Sagan. Sagan demonstrates an impressive commitment to scientific accuracy and clarity throughout the book. He skillfully distills complex scientific concepts into accessible language without sacrificing the depth of the subject matter. A personal favorite. Notable for its interdisciplinary approach, seamlessly weaving together astronomy, physics, biology, and history.
• A Short History of Nearly Everything, Bill Bryson. Written with wit and humor. In terms of rigor, it's important to note that Bryson is not a scientist himself, and the book is intended for a general audience rather than a scholarly one. While he strives to make complex scientific concepts accessible, the book may simplify certain ideas for the sake of readability. Nonetheless, a great read.
• Physics: a short history from quintessence to quarks, J. L. Heilbron. An engaging narrative, describing and explaining the transformations undergone by physics during its 2,500 years of development from its origins in Ancient Greece to its current worldwide cultivation
• To Explain the World: The Discovery of Modern Science, Steven Weinberg. A thought-provoking and insightful exploration of the history of science. Weinberg weaves together historical narratives, scientific principles, and philosophical reflections, creating a cohesive and engaging narrative that caters to both enthusiasts and those new to the subject.
• The Second Creation: Makers of the Revolution in Twentieth-Century Physics, Robert P. Crease and Charles C. Mann. A dramatic—and human—chronicle of scientific investigators at the last frontier of knowledge. Robert Crease and Charles Mann take the reader on a fascinating journey in search of "unification".
• Inward Bound: of Matter and Forces in the Physical World, Abraham Pais. A history of the development of physics in the 20th century, relating events which seemed to be unconnected at the time and exploring the reasons why certain developments took place and what it was like for the scientists involved.