General Relativity: The Essentials

by Carlo Rovelli

A straightforward introduction to General Relativity, explaining the physical, philosophical and mathematical ideas it is built on.

In this short book, renowned theoretical physicist and author Carlo Rovelli gives a straightforward introduction to Einstein’s General Relativity, our current theory of gravitation. Focusing on conceptual clarity, he derives all the basic results in the simplest way, taking care to explain the physical, philosophical and mathematical ideas at the heart of “the most beautiful of all scientific theories”. Some of the main applications of General Relativity are also explored, for example, black holes, gravitational waves and cosmology, and the book concludes with a brief introduction to quantum gravity. Written by an author well known for the clarity of his presentation of scientific ideas, this concise book will appeal to university students looking to improve their understanding of the principal concepts, as well as science-literate readers who are curious about the real theory of General Relativity, at a level beyond a popular science treatment.

A straightforward introduction of General Relativity, ideal for curious readers who wish to learn about black holes, gravitational waves and cosmology but who do not need to become experts in the subject • Focuses on conceptual depth and clarity, over mathematical formalisms, which will complement more formal textbook approaches • Well suited to a short introductory course for advanced undergraduates or starting graduates, giving the author’s unique perspective on the theory, leading up to the basics of quantum gravity

Paperback | 150 pages | Cambridge University Press | 2021

Carlo Rovelli is a theoretical physicist who has made significant contributions to the physics of space and time. He has worked in Italy and the United States and currently directs the quantum gravity research group of the Centre de Physique Théorique in Marseille, France. His books, including Seven Brief Lessons on Physics, The Order of Time, and Helgoland, are international bestsellers that have been translated into more than fifty languages.