The Geometry of Spacetime [Hardcover]

James J. Callahan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 17, 1999 | ISBN-10: 0387986413 | ISBN-13: 978-0387986418

In 1905, Albert Einstein offered a revolutionary theory--special relativity--to explain some of the most troubling problems in current physics concerning electromagnetism and motion. Soon afterwards, Hermann Minkowski recast special relativity essentially as a new geometric structure for spacetime. These ideas are the subject of the first part of the book. The second part develops the main implications of Einstein's general relativity as a theory of gravity rooted in the differential geometry of surfaces. The author explores the way an individual observer views the world and how a pair of observers collaborate to gain objective knowledge of the world. To encompass both the general and special theory, he uses the geometry of spacetime as the unifying theme of the book. To read it, one needs only a first course in linear algebra and multivariable calculus and familiarity with the physical applications of calculus.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 472 pages
• Publisher: Springer (December 17, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0387986413
• ISBN-13: 978-0387986418
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 7.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #164,987 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #18 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Physics > Gravity
  • #67 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Physics > Relativity
  • #86 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Physics > Mathematical Physics

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Book, May 5, 2000

By 

Charles Davis - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Geometry of Spacetime (Hardcover)

After long reflection, I am convinced that this book is the most finely crafted piece of teaching I have ever encountered. If you have hard interest in relativity, spacetime, cosmology, but lack facility with mathematics more advanced than calculus and linear algebra, Callahan will lead you into a deeper understanding of the mathematics than you would have believed possible.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for learning how to actually use the math behind GR, July 30, 2004

By 

A. Cox "Artist, Musician, Physicist and Cook" (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Geometry of Spacetime (Hardcover)

This book is great for teaching the math behind GR using excellent examples from Math and Physics problems (for another great problem solver see also Schaum's Outline of Tensor Calculus, but this has less Physics). It is a bit long winded, spending alot of time on SR and in some place just over the top (for Physicists!), but once through it there should be no problem going to the more advanced texts which deal with more of the uses of GR. At the same level I would also recommend Schutz's First Course in GR, however, Callahan's book goes through and explains the use of the math better, whereas Schutz's is better for uses in GR, surprisingly this is the strength of Callahan's book: you can't really do the Physics properly unless you can do the math! After this it's on to more Physics orientated books like Carroll's excellent Introduction to GR, as a stepping stone to MTW's Gravitation and Wald's GR.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best., August 6, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Geometry of Spacetime (Hardcover)

This is one of the best introduction to General Relativity. It is the most accessible introduction to differential geometry. Naturally you have to know calculus, linear algebra, and the basics of special relativity. I bought many books on the subject, and this one belengs to the set I suggest for self-learning.