Spacetime and Geometry

Spacetime and Geometry cover
Good Books rating 3.97
Technical
  • ID: 4739
  • Added: 2025-10-22
  • Updated: 2025-10-22
  • ISBN: 9781108775557
  • Publisher: Cambridge University Press
  • Published: 2019-08-08
  • Reviews: 3

Spacetime and Geometry is an introductory textbook designed to make the complex subject of general relativity approachable for students. It begins with a clear explanation of the theory's foundational principles and mathematical framework, making it easier to grasp the intricacies of spacetime curvature and the motion of matter through it. The book then explores three major applications of general relativity: black holes, perturbation theory and gravitational waves, and cosmology. Students will gain insights into the nature of black holes, the generation and detection of gravitational waves, and the modern understanding of the universe's expansion. Additionally, the book includes a brief introduction to quantum field theory in curved spacetime, preparing students to tackle advanced research problems in gravitational physics./n/nWritten in a lucid style, this textbook is an invaluable resource for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of the fundamental principles that govern our universe. It bridges the gap between theoretical concepts and practical applications, making it an essential read for aspiring physicists and astronomy enthusiasts alike.

Reviews
Goodreads · 2025-10-22
phenomenal 4.40

The book is very complete and balances physical intuition with rigor well. The chapters on curvature and black holes are particularly praised.

The reviewer finds the book to be very complete and appreciates the balance between physical intuition and rigor. They highlight the chapters on curvature and black holes as being particularly phenomenal. This suggests that the book is not only comprehensive but also excels in explaining some of the more challenging topics in general relativity. The high rating and positive comments indicate that it is a highly recommended text for students and enthusiasts alike.


Quick quotes

    It is very complete, and Sean Carroll balances physical intuition and rigor very well.

    The curvature and black hole chapters were simply phenomenal.

    So I'd recommend it to anyone interested in general relativity.

The Sky Searchers · 2025-10-22
excellent 4.00

The book is praised for its clear discussion and illustration of differential-geometric and manifold-related aspects. The reviewer appreciates the depth and clarity of the explanations.

The reviewer really likes the way Carroll discusses and illustrates the differential-geometric and manifold-related aspects of general relativity. They find the explanations to be both deep and clear, which makes the book a valuable resource for understanding these complex topics. The reviewer's appreciation for the book's clarity and depth suggests it is a well-written and informative text.


Quick quotes

    I really like the way Carroll discusses and illustrates the differential-geometric and manifold related aspects.

    Both use the Einstein notation and the abstract index notation.

    The book is very complete, and Sean Carroll balances physical intuition and rigor very well.

Reddit - AskPhysics · 418-07-01
good 3.50

The book provides a solid conceptual understanding of general relativity but could be more rigorous. It is compared favorably to other undergraduate textbooks on the subject.

The reviewer found that this book gave them a much better conceptual understanding of general relativity. They appreciate the balance between physical intuition and rigor, although they feel it could be more rigorous in some areas. The book is compared favorably to other undergraduate textbooks, suggesting it is a good choice for students. The reviewer also mentions that Thomas Moore's book offers a very nice hands-on approach, which might be a good complement to this one.


Quick quotes

    I feel like it gave me a much better conceptual understanding of GR but it wasn't the most rigorous.

    Thomas Moore's book "A General Relativity Workbook" is a very nice hands-on approach.

    I think it's about as good as any other undergrad GR textbook I've seen.