General Relativity

The latest volume in the New York Times–bestselling physics series explains Einstein’s masterpiece: the general theory of relativity 

He taught us classical mechanics, quantum mechanics, and special relativity. Now, physicist Leonard Susskind, assisted by a new collaborator, mathematician André Cabannes, returns to tackle Einstein’s general theory of relativity. Starting from the equivalence principle and covering the necessary mathematics of Riemannian spaces and tensor calculus, Susskind and Cabannes explain the link between gravity and geometry. They delve into black holes, establish Einstein field equations, and solve them to describe gravity waves. The authors provide vivid explanations that, to borrow a phrase from Einstein himself, are as simple as possible (but no simpler).
 
An approachable yet rigorous introduction to one of the most important topics in physics, General Relativity is a must-read for anyone who wants a deeper knowledge of the universe’s real structure.

• “General Relativity is an excellent volume for readers who know physics but aren't familiar with GR and want a thorough introduction to the topic.”
  Physics Today
• “The expository sections are insightful, and detailed formula breakdowns do an impressive job of helping the initiated navigate physics’s most challenging spots. Readers who have followed the series will find this a satisfying addition.”
  Publishers Weekly
• Praise for Book One of The Theoretical Minimum Series 
   
  “Beautifully clear explanations of famously ‘difficult things.’”―Wall Street Journal 
   
  “If you want to know how physicists really think about the world, this book is the place to start.”―Sean Carroll, author of The Particle at the End of the Universe 
   
  “A true masterpiece that will stand the test of time. I only wish this book was around when I was learning classical physics.”―Stephon Alexander, author of The Jazz of Physics 
   
  “At once witty and insightful.”―Nature 
   
  “If you're ever banished to a desert island and allowed to take just one book, here it is. Given enough time, with no distractions, you could use it to eventually master quantum mechanics.”―Science News