Differential Geometry and Relativity: A Thoughtful Scholarly

In this review of Differential Geometry and Relativity: A Volume in Honour of Andre Lichnerowicz on His 60th Birthday, the reviewer finds a focused academic collection best suited to researchers and advanced students who want a snapshot of mid-20th century directions in differential geometry and mathematical physics. The bottom line: this is a specialized jubilee volume that preserves contributions from colleagues and students of Lichnerowicz and is most valuable for readers seeking historical perspective and technical exposition rather than a modern textbook treatment.

Key Features

• Jubilee volume: Collected articles honor Andre Lichnerowicz and gather work from his friends, students, and collaborators to showcase themes he influenced.
• Focused subject matter: Essays concentrate on the twin fields of differential geometry and mathematical physics, offering depth in topics related to Lichnerowicz's career.
• Scholarly perspective: Contributions reflect active research directions of the era and provide historical insight into evolving approaches in geometry and relativity.
• Varied authorship: Multiple contributors bring different viewpoints and techniques, making the volume a cross-section of contemporary research discussions.
• Concise scope: The editors acknowledge limits of space and time, resulting in a curated selection rather than a comprehensive compendium.

Who It's For

This book is best for graduate students, researchers, and academics with prior exposure to advanced mathematics who want to read original contributions connected to Lichnerowicz's work. It serves well as a reference for those studying the historical development of geometry and relativity or seeking technical articles within those fields.

Readers who want a modern introductory textbook or a complete survey of every topic Lichnerowicz touched should look elsewhere; this volume is intentionally selective and reflects the limits the editors set on contributors and subjects included.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Rich primary-source value for historians of mathematics and physicists interested in mid-century research directions.
• Contributors include students and collaborators, giving authentic perspectives on Lichnerowicz's influence.
• Clear focus on both differential geometry and mathematical physics keeps the collection coherent for specialists.

Cons

• Not comprehensive: space and time limitations mean some topics and authors are absent, so it is not a definitive anthology.

Specifications

Title	Differential Geometry and Relativity: A Volume in Honour of Andre Lichnerowicz on His 60th Birthday
Series	Mathematical Physics and Applied Mathematics
Editors / Brand	M. Cahen, M. Flato
Subject focus	Differential geometry and mathematical physics
Purpose	Jubilee volume of contributed scholarly articles
Audience	Researchers, advanced students, historians of mathematics

Our Verdict

This volume is a valuable, focused tribute that offers specialists a compact set of technical essays reflecting Lichnerowicz's influence. It is good value for readers seeking historical and research-level perspectives in geometry and relativity, but not intended as a comprehensive textbook or beginner's introduction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this book suitable for beginners?
Answer. No; the content is aimed at readers with graduate-level background in geometry or mathematical physics.

Does the book cover all of Lichnerowicz's work?
Answer. No; the editors note limits of space and time, so the volume is a selective collection of contributions.

Who edited the volume?
Answer. The editors associated with the publication are M. Cahen and M. Flato.