Modern physics rests on two fundamental building blocks: general relativity and quantum theory. General relativity is a geometric interpretation of gravity while quantum theory governs the microscopic behaviour of matter. Since matter is described by quantum theory which in turn couples to geometry, we need a quantum theory of gravity. In order to construct quantum gravity one must reformulate quantum theory on a background independent way. Modern Canonical Quantum General Relativity provides a complete treatise of the canonical quantisation of general relativity. The focus is on detailing the conceptual and mathematical framework, on describing physical applications and on summarising the status of this programme in its most popular incarnation, called loop quantum gravity. Mathematical concepts and their relevance to physics are provided within this book, which therefore can be read by graduate students with basic knowledge of quantum field theory or general relativity.

'… the most complete account to date of the Hamiltonian approach to the quantization of General Relativity. … If the exciting possibility of links … between words of the very small and the very large are realized, then theorists will have to delve much deeper into the structure of quantum gravity than hitherto. This book is a magnificent and comprehensive introduction to one possible avenue. It has no rival.'

Source: The Observatory