Gravity, Black Holes, and the Very Early Universe: An Introduction to General Relativity and Cosmology - Tapa dura

From the reviews:

"Chow ... has successfully filled the gap in the literature between introductory texts for lay readers interested in cosmology and advanced works. Chow’s book is aimed at undergraduates but is accessible to all readers ... . Chapters can stand alone for quick reference, yet the book’s progressive nature makes it a viable course resource for supporting all physics curricula. ... this work will be suitable for all science libraries and collections. Summing Up: Recommended. General readers; lower-division undergraduates through graduate students." (J. H. Murphy, CHOICE, Vol. 45 (8), 2008)

"This book has its roots in the lecture notes of Professor Chow, who taught an undergraduate course in relativity and cosmology ... . I was interested by the ideas and the historical aspects developed ... on the inflationary universe and the physics of the very early universe. ... The book may be useful for general information on cosmology and to a physicist already well prepared in general relativity and cosmology to prepare a course on these subjects." (Fernande Grandjean, Belgian Physical Society Magazine, Issue 2, June, 2009)

Here it is, in a nutshell: the history of one genius’s most crucial work – discoveries that were to change the face of modern physics. In the early 1900s, Albert Einstein formulated two theories that would forever change the landscape of physics: the Special Theory of Relativity and the General Theory of Relativity. Respected American academic Professor Tai Chow tells us the story of these discoveries. He details the basic ideas of Einstein, including his law of gravitation. Deftly employing his inimitable writing style, he goes on to explain the physics behind black holes, weaving into his account an explanation of the structure of the universe and the science of cosmology.