Review by Choice Review
The physics community knows Ohanian as an outstanding explicator of physics. His books on physics run the gamut from a widely used and respected introductory text to senior-graduate level volumes on quantum mechanics, and gravitation and spacetime. They are all characterized by a crisp clarity made readable by a distinctive style that often showcases a profound understanding of the subject. This new edition, written with Ruffini, of what is now a classic work (1st ed., CH, Dec'76) is enlarged and enriched. Much of the book has been rewritten and brought up to date. A large collection of references follows each chapter, an intellectual tour de force. The volume employs tensor notation throughout. The subject matter starts off with classical gravitation and special relativity. Before the start of the detailed treatment of general relativity, there are considerations of why one has to consider "curved spacetime." Electromagnetism, the "linear theory par excellence," supplies the bridging concept. The authors then apply the field equations of general relativity to topics like perihelion precession, black holes, and cosmology. Many of the sections are almost self-contained and are clear and concise summaries of the state of current knowledge. In this context, the chapter on cosmology is marvelous. This book belongs in all college and university libraries. Upper-division undergraduate; graduate; professional. K. L. Schick; Union College (NY)
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
