From the Universe to the Elementary Particles: A First Introduction to Cosmology and the Fundamental Interactions (Undergraduate Lecture Notes in Physics) - Softcover

From the reviews:

The German edition has received several very positive reviews. Here are some translated excerpts:

Ulrich Elwanger's book deals with a currently very popular topic of theoretical physics: the connection between the micro- and the macro-cosmos.

The chosen approach is the only right one: A review of all the essential foundations, before getting down to the serious stuff.

The result is a book that succeeds didactically, with no errors worth mentioning, and from which the reader with appropriate background can benefit greatly. One notices the author's extensive experience as researcher and teacher, and feels that one is 'in safe hands'.

The book can be followed by all students of physics as well talented school pupils.

For many students of the natural sciences and also interested autodidacts this book - as a text for learning and for reference - will be immensely helpful.

In summary, a good and well-written text idea for a stepwise and additional learning of cosmology and also astro-, nuclear- and elementary-particle physics.

Sources: www.wissenschaft-online.de; www.astronomy.info; www.amazon.de

“The aim of the book is to present the current status of our knowledge of the laws of nature from cosmology to the elementary particles and to address the numerous open questions and controversially discussed topics such as string theory. ... The book turns to college and university students, hobby astronomers and other science enthusiasts. ... The present fascinating work is accessible for all readers having a knowledge of mathematics at the level of a secondary-school final examination.” (Philosophy, Religion and Science Book Reviews, bookinspections.wordpress.com, July, 2013)

 “This is an ambitious book, reaching out to a broad readership on the topics of cosmology and elementary particle physics. In appearance and style it comes across as a textbook, including equations and simple exercises after each chapter. ... I found ... this book to be most inspiring and many of the latest developments are covered ... .” (Herbert Dreiner, CERN Courier, November, 2012) 

“The aim of the book is to present the current status of our knowledge of the laws of nature from cosmology to the elementary particles and to address the numerous open questions and controversially discussed topics ... . The book presupposes the mathematical level of knowledge of students in natural sciences at the beginning of their studies. ... The book turns to college and university students, hobby astronomers and other science enthusiasts. It takes an intermediate position between a physical textbook and a popular treatment.” (Horst-Heino von Borzeszkowski, Zentralblatt MATH, Vol. 1247, 2012)

Leading readers to a clear understanding of modern elementary particle physics and cosmology, this text does so without recourse to advanced mathematics and in addition examines questions that surround controversial contemporary subjects such as string theory.