Cosmology: The Structure and Evolution of the Universe [Paperback]

From the reviews:
It survives the pitfalls of this fashion-conscious era by pursuing a rigorously independent-minded attitude to contemporary ideas. The level is introductory undergraduate, with rather little mathematics but a strong physical basis.
...The second part, on general relativity and cosmology, provides a good account of modern theoretical ideas, from rotating black holes to Grand Unified Theories and inflation. The third part is an excellent and profound discussion of the fundamental problems of cosmology. For anyone with a philosophical turn of mind this section alone makes the book essential reading. NatureFrom the reviews:
It survives the pitfalls of this fashion-conscious era by pursuing a rigorously independent-minded attitude to contemporary ideas. The level is introductory undergraduate, with rather little mathematics but a strong physical basis.
...The second part, on general relativity and cosmology, provides a good account of modern theoretical ideas, from rotating black holes to Grand Unified Theories and inflation. The third part is an excellent and profound discussion of the fundamental problems of cosmology. For anyone with a philosophical turn of mind this section alone makes the book essential reading. NatureI Observations.- 1. Our Galaxy.- 1.1 Observing Our Galaxy.- 1.2 The Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram.- 1.3 Globular Clusters.- 1.4 Open Clusters.- 1.5 OB Associations.- 1.6 Interstellar Medium.- 1.7 Interstellar Clouds.- 1.7.1 Bright Nebulae.- 1.7.2 Dark Nebulae.- 1.7.3 Neutral Hydrogen Nebulae.- 1.8 Radio Waves from Our Galaxy.- 1.8.1 Radio Sources.- 1.8.2 The 21 cm-Line and the Distribution of Hydrogen in the Galaxy.- 1.8.3 Recombination Lines.- 1.8.4 Microwave Radiation from Molecules.- 1.8.5 Continuous Radio Emission.- 1.9 x-Ray, ?-Ray, Ultraviolet and Infrared Astronomy.- 1.10 Pulsars (Neutron Stars).- 1.11 Magnetic Fields and Cosmic Rays.- 1.11.1 Magnetic Fl3¦