General Relativity and Relativistic Astrophysics (Texts and Monographs in Physics) [Hardcover]

Norbert Straumann (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, German (translation)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 459 pages
• Publisher: Springer-Verlag (October 1984)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0387130101
• ISBN-13: 978-0387130101
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,011,123 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A concise, rigorous and fairly thorough exposition, July 12, 2004

By 

Steven M. Hug "Rod Hug" (Santa Rosa, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: General Relativity and Relativistic Astrophysics (Texts & Monographs in Physics) (Paperback)

The book divides into three parts. Part I develops the mathematical tools used in the general theory of relativity. This part is very short, but self-contained. Readers who have never studied differential geometry will find the exposition too abstract, in my view. I suggest the reader first study one of a number of good texts such as, W. Thirring: A course in Mathematical Physics, Vol 1 or R. Abraham and J.E. Marsden: Foundations of Mechanics.

In the second part, the general theory of relativity is developed along traditional lines. The coordinate-free language is emphasized. Full use of Cartan's calculus of differential forms is made. The tests of general relativity are discussed.

The last part of the book treats important aspects of the physics of compact objects. Some topics, for example the cooling of neutron stars, are discussed in great detail.

On the whole, the book is rigorous. May I emphasize, the reader need a good background in differential geometry.