An Introduction to Relativistic Gravitation [Hardcover]

Remi Hakim (Author), Andrew King (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 28, 1999 | ISBN-10: 0521453127 | ISBN-13: 978-0521453127

This is an introductory textbook on applications of general relativity to astrophysics and cosmology. The aim is to provide advanced students with a toolkit for understanding astronomical phenomena that involve velocities close to that of light or intense gravitational fields. The author gives a thorough grounding in special relativity, with space-time the central concept. Examples of relativistic gravitation in action are drawn from the astrophysical domain. The book can be read on two levels: first as an introductory fast-track course, and then as a detailed course reinforced by problems that illuminate technical examples. The book has extensive links to the literature of relativistic astrophysics and cosmology.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'This textbook offers a thorough application of relativity theory to astrophysics and modern cosmology ... the reviewer found Hakim's descriptions both useful and clear and a well-ordered progression of the material has been presented ... Hakim's text must rank amongst the best of them.' A. D. Andrews, Irish Astronomical Journal

Book Description

This advanced textbook for theoretical astrophysics and cosmology shows how phenomena involving velocities close to that of light or intense gravitational fields are handled through the techniques of general relativity. The course provides mastery of special relativity, tensor calculus and general relativity at the level required for graduate work in high-energy astrophysics and cosmology.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (July 28, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521453127
• ISBN-13: 978-0521453127
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,570,441 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Introduction!!, June 5, 2002

By 

G. Cantor "Base three" (Mill Valley, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: An Introduction to Relativistic Gravitation (Hardcover)

This book represents, in my view, the best introduction to relativistic gravitation. The sequence of subtopics flows well and the "pictures" go a long way toward strengthening the written content.

Not, however, a book for the mathematically faint-at-heart; for a fairly untroubled reading one should have no fear of tensor analysis and some knowledge of differential forms is helpful. Finally, The translator (Dr. Andrew King) did a great job of crafting an intelligible English version.

If you are genuinely interested in this area of Physics, I recommend that you check this book out. However, if you're unwilling to engage in some serious thinking, I suggest you consider another topic altogether.

3 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Relatvistic Gravitation, June 23, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: An Introduction to Relativistic Gravitation (Paperback)

Relativistic Gravitation exceeded all my expectations for what I wanted to learn. I am only fifteen years old so i thought that an introduction would take me into this field of physics. I understood most of the book, except for the math. I thought it would help if he took the reader throug the math. This subject is incredibly interersting and the author did a great job.