Geometry, Topology and Physics

by Mikio Nakahara

Geometry, Topology and Physics is an ideal introduction to differential geometry and topology for postgraduate students and researchers in theoretical and mathematical physics.

Genres: Physics, Mathematics, Geometry

520 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1990

Reviews

[Bradley Gram-hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I now understand why so many recommend this text book. It is a fantastic book for getting to grips with differential geometry with lots of examples, pictures and exercises. It is written in a really nice format to. What also is nice and quite surprising about the book , is that despite the word "physics" being in the title, there is actually a lot of physics in it, which I wasn't expecting (but was a nice surprise) given the nature of the book! Within this book there is not only a whole course on DG, but a good guide to advanced quantum mechanics and introductory relativity. There is also a good guide to some introductory and advanced topics within quantum field theory. For the price of this book and its given clarity, it is a bargin!

[Brian Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a gateway drug. If you see a loved one reading this text, and especially if they deny having thoughts about string theory, they have a problem. There is a very narrow window of time to steer them towards less damaging theories of quantum gravity; if you’re too late, they will fall relentlessly into the deep well of billions upon billions upon billions of background-dependent, perturbatively renormalizable theories. Like light from a black hole this theory can’t explain, they will be doomed for all eternity.

[Renbao Liu · Rating 4 out of 5]

In general it is good. It is too brief in the last 4 chapters on the advanced topics (characteristic classes, index theorem, anomaly, bosonic string), which, understandably though, read like a quick survey.

[Lulu]

Geometry and topology for physicists