The Story of Collapsing Stars
Black Holes, Naked Singularities, and the Cosmic Play of Quantum Gravity
Pankaj S. Joshi
Reviews and Awards
"Being written at the level of popular literature on physics and astronomy, this book leads the reader to the current frontier of research in gravitation theory without hiding the yet-unsolved problems and differences of opinion among specialists. In this respect it is unique, and will be extremely valuable reading." --Andrzej Krasinski, Nicolaus Copernicus Astronomical Center
"Pankaj Joshi has written a wonderful book, full of challenges for the reader and also for all physicists! Only in 1998 did dark energy become established, subverting common thought. Joshi takes it all in and he teaches us to 'listen to nature' to figure out how to progress and make the leap to quantum gravity, the final unification of the fundamental forces in nature." --Peter L. Biermann, Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy, Germany
"In this lucid overview, theoretical astrophysicist Pankaj Joshi corrals the research on collapsing massive stars and space-time singularities, including the idea that the event horizon might be a firewall of fierce radiation. Joshi sees work in these areas as a lab for testing the pressing problems in fundamental physics and beyond." --Nature
"Joshi's book will inspire graduate students... Recommended." --Choice
"Although meant for a popular audience, The Story of Collapsing Stars presents the open research questions so clearly that it can also serve as a valuable starting point for scientists and students considering research in the area of gravitational collapse." --Physics Today
"Most of what is written in this book is very high level as can be expected from the title. Nevertheless, initiated readers would find it a good and an enjoyable read. ... The engaging narrative makes the read more like a story, especially since there are no equations at all other than the very few embedded in the text that the readers should already know or at least be familiar with." --Contemporary Physics