Table of Contents

Introduction: Newtonian Physics And Special Relativity.- Relativity Principles and Gravitation.- The Special Theory of Relativity.- The Mathematics Of The General Theory Of Relativity.- Vectors, Tensors, and Forms.- Basis Vector Fields and the Metric Tensor.- Non-inertial Reference Frames.- Differentiation, Connections, and Integration.- Curvature.- Einstein's Field Equations.- Einstein's Field Equations.- The Linear Field Approximation.- The Schwarzschild Solution and Black Holes.- Cosmology.- Homogeneous and Isotropic Universe Models.- Universe Models with Vacuum Energy.- Anisotropic and Inhomogeneous Universe Models.- Advanced Topics.- Covariant Decomposition, Singularities, and Canonical Cosmology.- Spatially Homogeneous Universe Models.- Israel's Formalism: The Metric Junction Method.- Brane-worlds.- Kaluza-Klein Theory.

About the Author

Both authors are researchers in general relativity with particular emphasis on cosmology.  They have earned the following honors:  Illustrert Vitenskaps research prize (1988), The King's Gold Medal (1990), 2nd prize, Smith-Knight Rayleight-Knight prizes, Cambridge University (2003), and Research Prize of Oslo College of Engineering (2004).

Reviews

From the reviews: "A sophisticated treatment of general relativity with a considerable number of applications to cosmology. … The book may be read in several different ways, depending on the interests of readers. A rich source of material; college libraries should have it on their shelves. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through professionals." (K. L. Schick, CHOICE, Vol. v4 (3), November, 2007) "This book is a carefully prepared overview about all essential aspects of relativity. Its 5 parts give the standard way to present the material … . Differently from other textbooks, the present authors emphasize much more concrete problems and examples … . The book contains a very large number of formulas, partially due to the fact, that many statements are given both in the old index-notation as well as in the modern index-free notation; I think this is helpful for the readers." (Hans-Jürgen Schmidt, Zentralblatt MATH, Vol. 1126 (3), 2008) "Even if you already have a sizable collection of books on general relativity, or if you are looking for a good modern book to teach a course from, the text by Grøn and Hervik is … a valuable addition to your collection." (David H. Delphenich, Mathematical Reviews, Issue 2008 i)