These books either require previous knowledge of relativity or geometrytopology. The confrontation between gravitation theory and experiment c. Unique in basing relativity on the principle of equivalence of gravitation. See all books authored by steven weinberg, including the portable atheist. The essential mathematics of general relativity is di. Especially useful if, for example, you arent quite clear on what the energymomentum tensor really means.
First published by the university of chicago press in 1984, the book, a tome of almost 500 pages, covers many aspects of the general theory of relativity. It relies heavily on the formalism of tensor calculus but also effectively communicates the physical picture of the mathematics. Gravitation by charles misner, kip thorne, and john archibald wheeler, and gravitation and cosmology by steven weinberg as supplements. Topics that deserve more attention include gravitational radiation and cosmology. However, this book can be supplemented by those by misner, thorne, and wheeler, and by weinberg. Principles and applications of the general theory of relativity by steven weinberg mit publisher. Steven weinbergs best science books for the general reader the list below is notably sparse in books by women. The physicist does not need to master all of the subtleties of di.
Jun 12, 2017 i found the weinberg s book on general relativity the most complete book on the fundamentals of the theory. Essential readings for the nonbeliever, and the first three minutes. They are certainly no substitute for a real textbook. The reader will remember the preface of his book on gravitation and cosmology where weinberg tells us how dissatisfied he was with the usual approach to studying gravitation and how he sees general relativity as a consequence of constraints imposed by the quantum theory of massless spin2 particles. Weinberg gives a thorough path through the physical motivation, experimental and cosmological consequences of general relativity. Unique in basing relativity on the principle of equivalence of gravitation and inertia over riemannian geometry, this book explores relativity experiments and observational cosmology to provide a sound foundation upon which analyses can be made. Unique in basing relativity on the principle of equivalence of gravitation and inertia over. Principles and applications of the general theory of relativity 9780471925675 by weinberg, steven and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices.
Weinberg in physics today not even wrong columbia university. A list of weinberg s publications can be found on the arxiv and scopus. The initial value problem and the dynamical formulation of general relativity a. This is because women were not welcome in science through most of its history. This is einsteins famous strong equivalence principle and it makes general relativity an extension of special relativity to a curved spacetime. He notes that about half of the book is newer than the lecture notes, that much of the material in the lecture notes was polished and improved when the book. Problem book in relativity and gravitation princeton university press, 1975. I am going to enjoy reading immensely the applications of gr which includes tests of general relativity some of which had been developed by albert einstein. In his wellknown and influential book on gr, he explicitly tries to avoid. Weinbergs book vs undergraduate course physics forums. A listing of technical books for general relativity. The second was to produce a textbook about general relativity in which geometric ideas were not given a starring role for in his words too great an emphasis on geometry can only obscure the deep connections between.
Weinbergs text on gravitation and cosmology is a classic text on general relativity. This is a book about physics, written for mathematicians. To be honest i imagine that selflearning relativity to be quite difficult. A leading physicist delves into relativity and experimental applications gravitation and cosmology.
Appendices include a brief introduction to general relativity, and a detailed derivation of the boltzmann equation for photons and neutrinos used in calculations of cosmological evolution. A first course in general relativity by bernard schutz, at an undergrad level. I found the weinbergs book on general relativity the most complete book on the fundamentals of the theory. The third key idea is that mass as well as mass and momentum. The only book which comes near to weinberg s on general relativity is the one by meisner, wheeler, and thorne of the early 1970s, and it requires expertise in graduate geometry and is neither as concise nor as inspired and insightful as weinberg s. Principles and applications of the general theory of relativity and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Principles and applications of the general theory of relativity. Steven weinberg in learning general relativity, and then in.
I would like to know apart from laboratory clases and having a professor to guide you what is the difference of selflearning general relativity from that book, compared to a 45 years that it takes in my country to complete a undergraduate course on. Aug 12, 20 the only book which comes near to weinberg s on general relativity is the one by meisner, wheeler, and thorne of the early 1970s, and it requires expertise in graduate geometry and is neither as concise nor as inspired and insightful as weinberg s. Steven weinberg, gravitation and cosmology the goto relativity book for particle physicists. Misner, thorne and wheeler, gravitation extraordinary and ridiculous in equal measure, this book covers an insane amount of. General relativity is a subject that is either blessed or cursed depending on your point of view with an abundance of textbooks.
The cosmology text of steven weinberg was my latest serious look into cosmology. Weinberg s text on gravitation and cosmology is a classic text on general relativity. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Introduction to tensor calculus for general relativity. Nowadays this theory is often used as a prototype for other, more intricate constructions to describe forces between elementary particles or other branches of fundamental physics.
A modern view of the origin of the universe, and more on. Steven weinberg books list of books by author steven. My book sets out the theory of gravitation according to what i think is its inner. For those readers who want a deeper exposure to di. The only book which comes near to weinbergs on general relativity is the one by meisner, wheeler, and thorne of the early 1970s, and it requires expertise in graduate geometry and is neither as concise nor as inspired and insightful as weinbergs. Principles and applications of the general theory of relativity offers a nobel laureates perspectives on the wealth of data technological developments have brought to expand upon einsteins theory. It is very much a physicists, rather than a mathematicians book. Principles and applications of the general theory of relativity by weinberg, steven abebooks. Used copies of the 2008 paperback edition are still around. This is a brilliant book by a nobel laureate and leading physicist.
General relativity for mathematicians pdf download. A a standard reference for the cauchy problem in gr, written by the mathematician who first proved it is wellposed. A first course in general relativity by bernard schutz, general relativity by robert m. Schutz, a first course in general relativity cambridge, 1985. Bob wald, general relativity the goto relativity book for relativists. The tests of general relativity which have been applied give everything an historical context. Syllabus general relativity physics mit opencourseware.
Steven weinberg formemrs is an american theoretical physicist and nobel. Apr 03, 2015 steven weinbergs best science books for the general reader the list below is notably sparse in books by women. Choquetbruhat 2009, general relativity and the einstein equations. Price problem book in relativity and gravitation isbn10. Apr 28, 2008 the reader will remember the preface of his book on gravitation and cosmology where weinberg tells us how dissatisfied he was with the usual approach to studying gravitation and how he sees general relativity as a consequence of constraints imposed by the quantum theory of massless spin2 particles. A a standard reference for spinor analysis in gr, the cauchy problem in gr, and bondi mass. A students manual for a first course in general relativity cambridge u. Misner, thorne and wheeler, gravitation extraordinary and ridiculous in. What is the best book for selflearning special and. A a standard reference for the cauchy problem in gr, written by.
It divides into two parts, each of which provides enough material for a onesemester graduate course. Part i covers the fundamentals of the subject and part ii the more advanced topics such as causal structure, and quantum effects. Another appendix h outlines material needed for understanding of boltzmann equation as prelude to chapter six and seven. Weinbergs 1972 general relativity and cosmology is also good.
Smolin was teaching a course on general relativity to undergraduates as well as graduate students at yale university using this book and felt satisfied with the. There are a great number of really excellent books on relativity, but no particular book is good for everyone. I would like to know apart from laboratory clases and having a professor to guide you what is the difference of selflearning general relativity from that book, compared to a 45 years. It is very much a physicists, rather than a mathematicians book, and also uses oldfashioned notation with an overall approach that tends to obscure at least for me the geometrical understanding of gr. A leading physicist delves into relativity and experimental applications. This is why in an introduction to general relativity it is of. Some of the ones i recommend for further reading are. General relativity and geometry 230 9 lie derivative, symmetries and killing vectors 231 9. The completed formulation of the general theory of relativity was published in 1916 fig. Principles and applications of the general theory of relativity 1972. Covering special and general relativity, tensor analysis, gravitation, curvature, and more, this book provides an engaging, insightful introduction to the forces that. A new book, introduction to general relativity, black holes and cosmology by yvonne choquetbruhat, is an introduction to the physics for mathematicians. General relativity is a beautiful scheme for describing the gravitational.