Physics of Relativistic Objects in Compact Binaries: from Birth to Coalescence

Preface - Monica Colpi, Piergiorgio Casella, Vittorio Gorini, Ugo Moschella and Andrea PossentiBinary Systems as Test-beds of Gravity Theories - Thibault DamourExploiting Binary Pulsars as Laboratories of Gravity Theories - Michael KramerPerspective in The Search for Relativistic Pulsars - Nichi D'Amico and Marta BurgayThe Formation and Evolution of Relativistic Binaries - E.P.J. van den Heuvel Dynamical Formation and Evolution of Neutron Star and Black Hole Binaries in Globular Clusters - Monica Colpi and Bernadetta DevecchiShort Gamma-Ray Bursts: Marking the Birth of Black Holes from Coalescing Compact Binaries - Davide Lazzati and Rosalba PernaStrong Gravitational Field Diagnostics in Binary Systems Containing a Compact Object - L. StellaWhite Dwarfs in Ultrashort Binary Systems - Gian Luca Israel and Simone Dall'OssoBinary Black Hole Coalescence - Frans Pretorius