Gravitation
Product ID: 64769868
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First published in 1973, Gravitation is a landmark graduate-level textbook that presents Einstein’s general theory of relativity and offers a rigorous, full-year course on the physics of gravitation. Upon publication, Science called it “a pedagogic masterpiece,” and it has since become a classic, considered essential reading for every serious student and researcher in the field of relativity. This authoritative text has shaped the research of generations of physicists and astronomers, and the book continues to influence the way experts think about the subject. With an emphasis on geometric interpretation, this masterful and comprehensive book introduces the theory of relativity; describes physical applications, from stars to black holes and gravitational waves; and portrays the field’s frontiers. The book also offers a unique, alternating, two-track pathway through the subject. Material focusing on basic physical ideas is designated as Track 1 and formulates an appropriate one-semester graduate-level course. The remaining Track 2 material provides a wealth of advanced topics instructors can draw on for a two-semester course, with Track 1 sections serving as prerequisites. This must-have reference for students and scholars of relativity includes a new preface by David Kaiser, reflecting on the history of the book’s publication and reception, and a new introduction by Charles Misner and Kip Thorne, discussing exciting developments in the field since the book’s original publication. The book teaches students to: Grasp the laws of physics in flat and curved spacetime Predict orders of magnitude Calculate using the principal tools of modern geometry Understand Einstein's geometric framework for physics Explore applications, including neutron stars, Schwarzschild and Kerr black holes, gravitational collapse, gravitational waves, cosmology, and so much more Review: Beyond expectations but not enough!!! - The book appears daunting at first glance, but once you break it down into appropriate sections, it provides a very understandable presentation of general relativity and motivates its concepts effectively. However, a lingering question remains: How much of this theoretical framework is truly open to empirical testing? General relativity defines geodesic motion in a way that makes deviations from it challenging to even consider. Yet, as both a practical measurement tool and a theoretical system, it is fundamentally grounded in a simple principle: We assume local Lorentzian flatness for space and time, measuring geodesic deviation relative to this assumption to establish a more accurate global geodesic throughout the manifold, accounting for the distorting effects of gravitation. The book contains substantial mathematical content, but it also includes informative diagrams and explanatory boxes that reinforce the material. Each section explains the motivation behind relevant equations and their outcomes in plain language. Additionally, the book delves into the historical development of general relativity, featuring quotes from influential figures like Newton, Einstein, Penrose, Hawking, and Dicke. Overall, I found this logical development easier to follow than what I encountered in Penrose’s Road to Reality, although I now have a deeper appreciation for that work as well and may revisit it. The practical significance and application of general relativity are more transparent, rather than obscured by mystifications related to complex numbers. I need other books to explore more in-depth. Review: Good as a reference - Wouldn’t recommend this to undergrads straight off; the book provides an insight into the topic of GR (general relativity) but before “looking through the eyes of the author” you need to be familiar with the math. Mathematical methods for physicists by George Arfken or Altland would suffice alomg with any of the GR books published by Princeton University Press namely: Einstein Gravity by Zee and then “A first course to General Relativity” by Bernard Schutz is good if you want to dive straight into without referring to any math books. Even better is The one written by Tai Pe Cheng—just brilliant and a very student friendly approach. Also these books are based on a theoretical physics topic: so they’re designed to help you gain insight into various mathematical manifestations. Physicist will let engineers know when their theories can be readily applied to industry and tech per se Hehe.
| Best Sellers Rank | #139,685 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #120 in Astronomy & Astrophysics #8,012 in Sciences, Technology & Medicine (Books) |
| Customer Reviews | 4.8 out of 5 stars 899 Reviews |
R**J
Beyond expectations but not enough!!!
The book appears daunting at first glance, but once you break it down into appropriate sections, it provides a very understandable presentation of general relativity and motivates its concepts effectively. However, a lingering question remains: How much of this theoretical framework is truly open to empirical testing? General relativity defines geodesic motion in a way that makes deviations from it challenging to even consider. Yet, as both a practical measurement tool and a theoretical system, it is fundamentally grounded in a simple principle: We assume local Lorentzian flatness for space and time, measuring geodesic deviation relative to this assumption to establish a more accurate global geodesic throughout the manifold, accounting for the distorting effects of gravitation. The book contains substantial mathematical content, but it also includes informative diagrams and explanatory boxes that reinforce the material. Each section explains the motivation behind relevant equations and their outcomes in plain language. Additionally, the book delves into the historical development of general relativity, featuring quotes from influential figures like Newton, Einstein, Penrose, Hawking, and Dicke. Overall, I found this logical development easier to follow than what I encountered in Penrose’s Road to Reality, although I now have a deeper appreciation for that work as well and may revisit it. The practical significance and application of general relativity are more transparent, rather than obscured by mystifications related to complex numbers. I need other books to explore more in-depth.
D**N
Good as a reference
Wouldn’t recommend this to undergrads straight off; the book provides an insight into the topic of GR (general relativity) but before “looking through the eyes of the author” you need to be familiar with the math. Mathematical methods for physicists by George Arfken or Altland would suffice alomg with any of the GR books published by Princeton University Press namely: Einstein Gravity by Zee and then “A first course to General Relativity” by Bernard Schutz is good if you want to dive straight into without referring to any math books. Even better is The one written by Tai Pe Cheng—just brilliant and a very student friendly approach. Also these books are based on a theoretical physics topic: so they’re designed to help you gain insight into various mathematical manifestations. Physicist will let engineers know when their theories can be readily applied to industry and tech per se Hehe.
X**Z
The Grand Book on General Relativity
The bible of GR book has finally arrived. No need for further comments, already a very good book. USA print.
S**R
Why to buy
A very very good book for grivtation it is holy book of grivtation it is very useful for students who are interested in research field it is also useful for students who are interested in study of universe Price of book doesn't matter in respect to book content
K**R
Superbly written & words are beautifully crafted.
Light years ahead to understand the working of gravity. Miss it & you'll be light years behind.
R**I
Still happy.
About the content of the book : I do not have enough qualification to say. Read comments of genuine scholars. About this edition : A splendid hardbound and quality paper, close to it's original paperback costly edition. Delivery : Either Aramex courier service apparently have no safety norms, damaged my copy or supplier intentionally supplied a damaged one. Still happy.
C**R
Good one
I liked its content and it's contents and cover
S**E
Unbelievable Bargain!
THE book of GRAVITATION for peanuts
F**T
The Holy Bible of Gravitation
- Langue: anglaise - Prérequis: L3/M1 Physique fondamentale, solide bagage mathématique conseillé. - Etat à la réception : impeccable, malgré l'emballage peu précautionneux. - Contenu et lisibilité : édition 2017 impeccable, nouvelle préface indiquant les endroits de l'ouvrage où il faut compléter l'étude par celle d'autres ouvrages plus récents. L'ouvrage sépare son contenu en deux "tracks". Track 1: le contenu est incontournable ; Track 2: contenu complémentaire, à choisir selon les centres d'intérêts de chacun, compréhensibles si tous les Tracks 1 qui le précèdent ont été traités (sauf indication explicite du contraire). Bref c'est la Bible, mais à compléter, bien sûr, par d'autres.
A**N
¡Excelente!
Llegó excelente, muy buena edición la de pasta dura
B**0
Heavy book that makes understanding gravity a lightweight task
Weighing about 6 pounds, the book is not a light one to be honest. Neither is the subject. But the authors have gone to a great extent to simplify the content for the reader. There are two tracks in the book and newcomers should skip the advanced track and continue with the basic one. The authors do not skip just to the physics but spend considerable portion of the book to build up the mathematical foundations. A lot of GR texts skip this and to be honest and a new reader is left to fend for herself on subtleties of differential geometry. And then of course the book itself is a beautiful thing to own. I read it with white gloves. The cover has a matte finish and the paper is of very high quality. The typography is brilliant! It is such a pleasure to read this book.
I**Y
It’s beautiful but maybe not for everyone
This is an excellent text in Einstein’s Theory of Relativity and contains a lot of advanced topics which makes the effort learning GR far more fruitful. The book is separated into two tracks and lots of annotations throughout the book to highlight certain points and what previous knowledge is required before tackling a chapter. It has a unique writing style that took me a while to get use to but I am learning to appreciate it more with each read. Idiosyncratic seems to be the common word to describe the style of writing so I’ll go with that. Nonetheless I can definitely see why this has been a common text used for such a long time (it is a really, really good text). I recommend using this as a supplemental text to Wald’s or Carroll’s book on relativity depending on your level. If you are learning this topic for the first time, A First Course in General Relativity by Schutz is an excellent text to go with this this. If I am not mistaken, I believe Schutz completed his PHD under Kip Thorne but don’t quote me on that. There are some sections out of date (mainly to do with advancements in experimental observations) but which ones are out of date have clearly been highlighted at the beginning of the text in the 2017 re-print. This makes it far easier to know what you are safe to read through and not learn out dated material. The actual physical quality of the book is surprisingly good considering the relatively cheap price. Compare this price to Goldstein’s hardcover Classical Mechanics text and you’ll see it what I mean.
3**3
CLASSIC
A classic
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