Short Course in General Relativity

J.D. Nightingale is Emeritus Professor of Physics at the State University of New York, College at New Paltz. J. Foster is recently retired Senior Lecturer in Mathematics at the University of Sussex. Both have extensive teaching experience in applied mathematics and theoretical physics. Prof. Nightingale's research interests tend towards the physical and cosmological consequences of general relativity, while Prof. Foster's tend towards the more mathematical aspects, such as exact solutions.

From the reviews of the third edition: "This is the third edition of a book that is already familiar to those who teach an introductory course in general relativity. ... Important concepts are introduced slowly and carefully, so that the resulting text is a comprehensible first introduction that is suitable for both physics and mathematics students. ... its strength is that it is a short introduction to the subject that still covers all the essential material for a first course and provides a sound basis for further study." (J. B. Griffiths, Mathematical Reviews, Issue 2006 h) "This book is a well-developed introduction to General Relativity. ... the present third edition is really re-worked in many places in comparison with the previous ones. ... Three appendices are quite helpful ... . Solutions to the exercises, References and Index close this very readable book. ... Every chapter ends with a list of problems ... ." (Hans-Jurgen Schmidt, Zentralblatt MATH, Vol. 1089 (15), 2006)

• Vector and tensor fields.- The spacetime of general relativity and paths of particles.- Field equations and curvature.- Physics in the vicinity of a massive object.- Gravitational radiation.- Elements of cosmology.