R.P. Feynman, QED: The Strange Theory of Light and Matter (Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey, 1985). My favorite book about physics, and the best place to turn if you want to learn more about quantum mechanics after finishing this book. After an inspiring introduction (pages 1–12), Feynman skillfully sets up the framework of quantum mechanics (pages 13–83) and then goes on to give the specific rules — within that framework — for assigning amplitudes for a class of phenomena called “electrodynamics” (pages 83–130). The remainder of the book (pages 130–152) surveys those parts of nature that fall outside of the domain of electrodynamics, and briefly shows how they, too, fit into the quantal framework.

R.P. Feynman, The Character of Physical Law (MIT Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1965). Chapter 6, “Probability and uncertainty — the quantum mechanical view of nature”, is the best one-hour summary of quantum mechanics that I know. It is the transcript of a lecture that was also recorded on film, and viewing the film is even better than reading the transcript. The video recording is distributed by Education Development Center, Inc.; 55 Chapel Street; Newton, Massachusetts 02158–1060.

P.C.W. Davies and J.R. Brown, The Ghost in the Atom (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, 1986). Interviews with quantum physicists at the popular level.