Following the approach of Lev Landau and Evgenii Lifshitz, this book
introduces the theory of special and general relativity with the
Lagrangian formalism and the principle of least action. This method
allows the complete theory to be constructed starting from a small
number of assumptions, and is the most natural approach in modern
theoretical physics. The book begins by reviewing Newtonian mechanics
and Newtonian gravity with the Lagrangian formalism and the principle of
least action, and then moves to special and general relativity. Most
calculations are presented step by step, as is done on the board in
class. The book covers recent advances in gravitational wave astronomy
and provides a general overview of current lines of research in gravity.
It also includes numerous examples and problems in each chapter.