Writing a new book on the classic subject of Special Relativity, on which numerous important physicists have contributed and many books have already been written, can be like adding another epicycle to the Ptolemaic cosmology. Furthermore, it is our belief that if a book has no new elements, but simply repeats what is written in the existing literature, perhaps with a different style, then this is not enough to justify its publication. However, after having spent a number of years, both in class and research with relativity, I have come to the conclusion that there exists a place for a new book. Since it appears that somewhere along the way, mathem- ics may have obscured and prevailed to the degree that we tend to teach relativity (and I believe, theoretical physics) simply using "heavier" mathematics without the inspiration and the mastery of the classic physicists of the last century. Moreover current trends encourage the application of techniques in producing quick results and not tedious conceptual approaches resulting in long-lasting reasoning. On the other hand, physics cannot be done a la carte stripped from philosophy, or, to put it in a simple but dramatic context A building is not an accumulation of stones As a result of the above, a major aim in the writing of this book has been the distinction between the mathematics of Minkowski space and the physics of r- ativity."

In most undergraduate physics classes Special Relativity is taught from a simplistic point of view using Newtonian concepts rather than the relativistic way of thinking. This results in students often finding it difficult to understand properly the new approach/new ideas, and consequently to solve relativistic problems. Furthermore, a number of books treat the theory using advanced mathematics which is not necessary for the first approach to the theory. This book is intended to serve two roles: a. To treat a student in a systematic constructive way to the basic structure of the theory and b. To provide a large number of solved in-detail problems in the kinematics and dynamics of Special Relativity. Concerning the first aim the book introduces the basics of four-dimensional mathematics, i.e., Lorentz metric, relativistic tensors, and prepares, through working examples, the transition to General Relativity, which requires, besides the relativistic concepts, the use of Differential Geometry and tensor analysis. The presentation is concise and does not replace a book on Special Relativity. Concerning the second intention the large number of problems provides the necessary material which can be used in order to familiarize the student with the relativistic “world�.  These problems can be used in the class by the teachers either as working examples or as problem sheets. It will be our pleasure if the book will be useful to both students and teachers.