General Relativity The Theoretical Minimum

“Since 2013, the New York Times-bestselling Theoretical Minimum series has been the go-to guide to physics for anyone who seeks to get past popularization but doesn’t know where to start. Stanford physicist Leonard Susskind has introduced readers to classical mechanics, quantum mechanics, and special relativity. Now, he returns with new collaborator André Cabannes to teach readers about one of the most famous and fascinating topics in all of physics: Einstein’s theory of general relativity. With wit and clarity, Susskind and Cabannes walk us through Einstein’s ideas, which refine Newton’s law of universal gravitation to explain gravity as a property of space and time. They address topics like the equivalence principle, tensor mathematics, gravitational fields, and black holes. Written with the series’ signature blend of real math, entertaining sketches, and humor, General Relativity provides vivid explanations that, to borrow a phrase from Einstein himself, are as simple as possible (but no simpler). As with the other books in the series, this volume runs parallel to Susskind’s eponymous Stanford University-hosted continuing education course. An approachable yet rigorous introduction to one of the most important topics in physics, General Relativity provides a toolkit for amateur scientists to learn physics at their own pace. This is a must-read for both devotees of the series and for any armchair physicist who wants a deeper knowledge of physics’ real structure”–