Advanced General Relativity (Cambridge Monographs on Mathematical Physics) [Paperback]

John Stewart (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0521449464 | ISBN-13: 978-0521449465 | Publication Date: November 26, 1993

A modern self-contained introduction to key topics in advanced general relativity. The opening chapter reviews the subject, with strong emphasis on the geometric structures underlying the theory. The next chapter discusses 2-component spinor theory, its usefulness for describing zero-mass fields, its practical application via Newman-Penrose formalism, together with examples and applications. The subsequent chapter is an account of the asymptotic theory far from a strong gravitational source, describing the mathematical theory by which measurements of the far-field and gravitational radiation emanating from a source can be used to describe the source itself. The final chapter describes the natural characteristic initial value problem, first in general terms, and then with particular emphasis for relativity, concluding with its relation to Arnold's singularity theory. Exercises are included.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...the theoretical tools for detailed analytical and numerical prediction are becoming increasingly important. Stewart's concise and lucid summary, the only book of its kind, is therefore very timely....a fine and very useful book, which I strongly recommend to all interested in the subject." Malcolm MacCallum, Physics Today

"This is a very well written book, including topics such as spinor algebra, the Newman-Penrose formalism, Dirac spinors, and Lie derivatives. The mathematical proofs are very clear. A large number of exercises make Stewart's text a valuable addition to advanced formal courses in general relativity. The book is also a valuable reference for researchers who have completed their formal education." Joseph Weber, Comments on Astrophysics

"...a good supplement to an advanced general relativity course....a welcome addition to the literature." K.K. Lee, Physics in Canada

Book Description

After reviewing the subject from a geometrical perspective, this self-contained introduction to key topics in advanced general relativity describes 2-component spinor theory, asymptotic theory far from a strong gravitational source and the natural characteristic initial value problem.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (November 26, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521449464
• ISBN-13: 978-0521449465
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,185,287 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars treasure trove of knowledge, May 14, 2000

By 

Sean Leckey (Staten Island, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Advanced General Relativity (Cambridge Monographs on Mathematical Physics) (Paperback)

It seems to me that there are far too many in number, and far too few in quality, books on on general relativity.

John Stewart, rather than waste time on the hordes of cute little cartoon models apt for a tourist rather than physicist, gets straight to the heart of the matter and presents amazingly powerful results (on differential geometry/ Spinors/ Asymptopia/Initial Value Problem). He doesn't skip any steps in his proofs and doesn't try to appeal to science fiction intuition.

As someone who hasn't encountered spinors before reading this book, I'm grateful for the helpful appendi on the matter. Unfortuneately however I've found in different books the notation for spinors can vary wildly. The result is that I must refigure out all the basic properties to understand the notation. My complaint is that Stewart doesn't seem* (perhaps it's my ignorance) to use the most common notation, but on the other hand, he also provides the most easily used and referenced appendix.

In summary, if reading most of that relativity tripe make you a tourist, Stewart makes you a citizen.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The only book for advanced GR, September 17, 2004

By 

ConstantReader - See all my reviews

This review is from: Advanced General Relativity (Cambridge Monographs on Mathematical Physics) (Hardcover)

Although it seems to be a general relativity book, this is actually an excellent book for learning advanced mathematics. The sections on differential geometry and spinor analysis rival any of the dedicated textbooks on these subjects. This is also the only book to give a clear and concise introduction to tetrads and the Newman-Penrose formalism of general relativity.

This book is a must for any serious physicist.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Quite accessible, July 12, 2011

By 

Jim Curry (MT) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Advanced General Relativity (Cambridge Monographs on Mathematical Physics) (Paperback)

Relativity, either special or general, has a reputation for being a little difficult and counter-intuitive. Being titled "Advanced," it might seem as if this is the last book a person should approach. Well, it isn't. A main difficulty in learning general relativity is the need to do differential geometry. Really, it amounts to updating the rules of calculus to account for the fact that a domain space might not necessarily be ordinary, "flat" Euclidean space. In that context, extra work is required if the derivatives we take are to be geometrically (and therefore physically) meaningful and not just some rubbish, meaningless measurement. This book develops the necessary mathematical machinery as efficiently and clearly as possible. So, it is really a book to read earlier in your relativity explorations and not later. Perhaps Woodhouse is the best beginning (both books, the Special and the General). Then, I think, this is a good follow up. Given that beginning, there's no reason not to finish up by reading Wald as well as Misner, Thorne, and Wheeler. Once you've done that, you've got a good start, I think.

This book is very valuable for its concise and clear introduction to the mathematical underpinnings. It is very useful for its insight into important special topics. This one is clearly a book you'll be excited to read. You'll want to read it, and when you're done---you'll want to re-read it. It's that good.