Relativity Book Recommendations: Novice-Friendly Special & General Relativity

[NewToThis]

Hi, can anyone recommend any good books about special and general relativity for novices?

Thanks

 

[micromass]

Popsci books? Or actual textbooks?
If you mean actual textbooks, then what is your knowledge of math and physics?

 

[Amrator]

For Special Relativity:
Get a copy of University Physics with Modern Physics Volume 3 by Young & Freedman, and read the chapter on Special Relativity. Make sure you do the problems; they are there for a reason.

Volume 3 of Young & Freedman is simply fantastic for introductory modern physics.

 

[NathanaelNolk]

I'll assume you have the proper mathematical pre-requisites. A first book to get a feel for what relativity is all about would be Russell's ABC of Relativity. I liked it in high school when I didn't have a very strong mathematical background past multivariable calculus.
I then learned special relativity through the first chapter of 'A first course in general relativity'. I don't really know any other exposition of SR except 'Physics through symmetry', which in my opinion isn't exactly enough. As for general relativity, I haven't learned it yet, so I won't comment on it.

 

[smodak]

Here you go.
1. A Most Incomprehensible Thing: Notes Towards a Very Gentle Introduction to the Mathematics of Relativity by Collier
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0957389450/?tag=pfamazon01-20
2. Einstein's Theory: A Rigorous Introduction for the Mathematically Untrained by https://www.amazon.com/dp/0957389450/?tag=pfamazon01-20
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1461407052/?tag=pfamazon01-20