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.

‘General relativity is the most beautiful physical theory we have, and plays an increasingly central role in modern physics. Carlo Rovelli’s introduction is both concise and comprehensive, written by a master of exposition as well as of the material. I envy anyone encountering these ideas for the first time.’

Sean M. Carroll - Caltech; author of Spacetime and Geometry

‘This book addresses general relativity at a more sophisticated level than in a popular-level account, emphasizing conceptual understanding and results over the mathematical details of a standard textbook. Most impressive is the author’s ability to distil important concepts into pithy statements illustrating deep physical insight. Rovelli’s concise book provides a solid grounding in the conceptual framework of general relativity as a starting point.’

Mike Guidry - University of Tennessee, Knoxville; author of Modern General Relativity

‘The book is interesting, well written, and fills an otherwise vacant niche. Recommended.’

Phillip Helbig Source: The Observatory

‘Rovelli is a well-published author of popular and advanced physics books, primarily in loop quantum gravity. His latest effort is an introduction to Einstein’s general relativity, written with precision in the concise style for which he is acclaimed … Recommended.’

J. F. Burkhart Source: Choice Connect

‘The book brims with surprising physical intuitions… but … also presents many technical, mathematical topics in their simplest possible form and then builds on them… It should be essential to those who want to understand where general relativity comes from and its conceptual core. It will also help serious students prepare for more mathematically difficult literature… Rovelli’s excitement about doing research at the edge of what is known is palpable. It provides students with a rare look into researchers’ ideas as they create them.’

Hal M. Haggard Source: Physics Today