De rerum natura vs Progress in optics: Which Should You Read?

Both live on shelves: Physics, Science

Cover of De rerum natura

De rerum natura Titus Lucretius Carus · 1486 ★★★★☆ 4.0 311 pages · ≈ 5 h 46 m · Demanding Find on Amazon

vs

Cover of Progress in optics

Progress in optics Emil Wolf · 1963 ★★★★☆ 3.8 Moderate Find on Amazon

The verdict

Ratings are close: 4.0 vs 3.8 — either is a safe pick by score.
Progress in optics is the easier read (Moderate), De rerum natura more demanding (Demanding).

Side by side