An excellent introduction to the subject., 03 Aug 2000
This text provides an excelent introduction to the principles underlying statistical mechanics. Although some prior mathematical knowledge is required, this knowledge need not include a great knowledge of statistical techniques. Much of the mathematical skills needed to understand and use statistical mechanics are covered in the first couple of chapters. The text also covers some fundamental thermodynamics, in a more understandable and useful manner than several books dedicated to thermal physics, before going on to present the joint application of statistical mechanics and thermodynamics as a very useful tool in predicting the properties of a number of types of physical system. Each chapter concludes with a selection of problems, with solutions at the end of the book, providing an oppurtunity to both test understanding of the material and develop the skills needed to apply statistical mechanics.

Finally, and most unusually for the type of subject matter covered, it is not difficult to read. The pages are clearly laid out, diagrams are used effectively and all equations are clearly ennumerated. Most importantly, however, the text covers the fundamental physics effectively and concisely, whilst providing sufficient detail on each topic.

I would consider this book essential reading for any undergraduate studying physical sciences, and a source of good reference material for anyone using the techniques of statistical mechanics at higher levels.

An excellent introduction to the subject., 03 Aug 2000
This text provides an excelent introduction to the principles underlying statistical mechanics. Although some prior mathematical knowledge is required, this knowledge need not include a great knowledge of statistical techniques. Much of the mathematical skills needed to understand and use statistical mechanics are covered in the first couple of chapters. The text also covers some fundamental thermodynamics, in a more understandable and useful manner than several books dedicated to thermal physics, before going on to present the joint application of statistical mechanics and thermodynamics as a very useful tool in predicting the properties of a number of types of physical system. Each chapter concludes with a selection of problems, with solutions at the end of the book, providing an oppurtunity to both test understanding of the material and develop the skills needed to apply statistical mechanics.

Finally, and most unusually for the type of subject matter covered, it is not difficult to read. The pages are clearly laid out, diagrams are used effectively and all equations are clearly ennumerated. Most importantly, however, the text covers the fundamental physics effectively and concisely, whilst providing sufficient detail on each topic.

I would consider this book essential reading for any undergraduate studying physical sciences, and a source of good reference material for anyone using the techniques of statistical mechanics at higher levels.

A detailed glimpse into applied qunatum physics, 05 Jan 2002
The book develops the ideas founded upon quatum physics and describes their relation to the basis of crystalline structures amongst others. It is ideal for physicists at an undergraduate level and beyond incorporating all of the fundamental topics required to fully understand this topic. Constructed in a clear and methodical fashion it can be classed as essential reading for any academic in the field, perfectly balanced in weight and depth.

An excellent introduction to the subject., 03 Aug 2000
This text provides an excelent introduction to the principles underlying statistical mechanics. Although some prior mathematical knowledge is required, this knowledge need not include a great knowledge of statistical techniques. Much of the mathematical skills needed to understand and use statistical mechanics are covered in the first couple of chapters. The text also covers some fundamental thermodynamics, in a more understandable and useful manner than several books dedicated to thermal physics, before going on to present the joint application of statistical mechanics and thermodynamics as a very useful tool in predicting the properties of a number of types of physical system. Each chapter concludes with a selection of problems, with solutions at the end of the book, providing an oppurtunity to both test understanding of the material and develop the skills needed to apply statistical mechanics.

Finally, and most unusually for the type of subject matter covered, it is not difficult to read. The pages are clearly laid out, diagrams are used effectively and all equations are clearly ennumerated. Most importantly, however, the text covers the fundamental physics effectively and concisely, whilst providing sufficient detail on each topic.

I would consider this book essential reading for any undergraduate studying physical sciences, and a source of good reference material for anyone using the techniques of statistical mechanics at higher levels.

A detailed glimpse into applied qunatum physics, 05 Jan 2002
The book develops the ideas founded upon quatum physics and describes their relation to the basis of crystalline structures amongst others. It is ideal for physicists at an undergraduate level and beyond incorporating all of the fundamental topics required to fully understand this topic. Constructed in a clear and methodical fashion it can be classed as essential reading for any academic in the field, perfectly balanced in weight and depth.

Not quite 5 stars, but nearly., 04 Oct 2001
Only worth 4 stars because it didn't give me the answers to some fundamental difficulties I was having with Pauli paramagnetism; I had to figure them out. I was extremely pleased that it helped me reach the right conclusions though. Finally an author who seems to understand the physics behind the itinerant electron theory, instead of giving the usuall "oh yes, its like this... trust me" I've found in three other pubications (including a very high profile magnetics text).

Not only science, 22 Sep 2000
This book is an introductory text at an higher level than the Kittel's book "Introduction to Solid State Physics" and at a lower level than "The Principles of the theory Solids" by Ziman. It clearly spans almost every branch of solid state physics. Some parts -e.g. Boltzman equation and transport properties - are only briefly described. An important support to the study are the many given problems at the end of any chapter. It is really a good book but according to my experience the most serious defect is in the binding of the book with hardcover: I got two copies and both copies broke within a week...so that now I am playing with flying sheets! Upon request electronic images are available.

A classic for a solid state physicist, 13 Oct 1999
This book is an introductory text which spans almost every branch of solid state phyiscs. The exposition is clear, but the subjects are not thoroughly treated. Some parts -e.g. interband transitions - are only hinted. The most serious defect is the complete absence of references and bibliography

A classic for a solid state physicist, 13 Oct 1999
This book is an introductory text which spans almost every branch of solid state phyiscs. The exposition is clear, but the subjects are not thoroughly treated. Some parts -e.g. interband transitions - are only hinted. The most serious defect is the complete absence of references and bibliography

An excellent introduction to the subject., 03 Aug 2000
This text provides an excelent introduction to the principles underlying statistical mechanics. Although some prior mathematical knowledge is required, this knowledge need not include a great knowledge of statistical techniques. Much of the mathematical skills needed to understand and use statistical mechanics are covered in the first couple of chapters. The text also covers some fundamental thermodynamics, in a more understandable and useful manner than several books dedicated to thermal physics, before going on to present the joint application of statistical mechanics and thermodynamics as a very useful tool in predicting the properties of a number of types of physical system. Each chapter concludes with a selection of problems, with solutions at the end of the book, providing an oppurtunity to both test understanding of the material and develop the skills needed to apply statistical mechanics.

Finally, and most unusually for the type of subject matter covered, it is not difficult to read. The pages are clearly laid out, diagrams are used effectively and all equations are clearly ennumerated. Most importantly, however, the text covers the fundamental physics effectively and concisely, whilst providing sufficient detail on each topic.

I would consider this book essential reading for any undergraduate studying physical sciences, and a source of good reference material for anyone using the techniques of statistical mechanics at higher levels.

A detailed glimpse into applied qunatum physics, 05 Jan 2002
The book develops the ideas founded upon quatum physics and describes their relation to the basis of crystalline structures amongst others. It is ideal for physicists at an undergraduate level and beyond incorporating all of the fundamental topics required to fully understand this topic. Constructed in a clear and methodical fashion it can be classed as essential reading for any academic in the field, perfectly balanced in weight and depth.

Not quite 5 stars, but nearly., 04 Oct 2001
Only worth 4 stars because it didn't give me the answers to some fundamental difficulties I was having with Pauli paramagnetism; I had to figure them out. I was extremely pleased that it helped me reach the right conclusions though. Finally an author who seems to understand the physics behind the itinerant electron theory, instead of giving the usuall "oh yes, its like this... trust me" I've found in three other pubications (including a very high profile magnetics text).

Not only science, 22 Sep 2000
This book is an introductory text at an higher level than the Kittel's book "Introduction to Solid State Physics" and at a lower level than "The Principles of the theory Solids" by Ziman. It clearly spans almost every branch of solid state physics. Some parts -e.g. Boltzman equation and transport properties - are only briefly described. An important support to the study are the many given problems at the end of any chapter. It is really a good book but according to my experience the most serious defect is in the binding of the book with hardcover: I got two copies and both copies broke within a week...so that now I am playing with flying sheets! Upon request electronic images are available.

A classic for a solid state physicist, 13 Oct 1999
This book is an introductory text which spans almost every branch of solid state phyiscs. The exposition is clear, but the subjects are not thoroughly treated. Some parts -e.g. interband transitions - are only hinted. The most serious defect is the complete absence of references and bibliography

A classic for a solid state physicist, 13 Oct 1999
This book is an introductory text which spans almost every branch of solid state phyiscs. The exposition is clear, but the subjects are not thoroughly treated. Some parts -e.g. interband transitions - are only hinted. The most serious defect is the complete absence of references and bibliography

Readable and concise , 10 May 2008
I would recommend this book for starting graduate students and final year undergrads that want to improve their understanding of magnetism. This is an excellent book to for an experimentalist to flick through and pick out topics that you have seen in papers and not understood. For me, it is consistently clear and relevant, with enough maths to be precise, but not so much to slow the pace of reading.

Being relatively short, I would not recommend this as a reference source, but it should be more than enough for most undergraduate courses.

Most importantly, I found this book very useful.

An excellent introduction to the subject., 03 Aug 2000
This text provides an excelent introduction to the principles underlying statistical mechanics. Although some prior mathematical knowledge is required, this knowledge need not include a great knowledge of statistical techniques. Much of the mathematical skills needed to understand and use statistical mechanics are covered in the first couple of chapters. The text also covers some fundamental thermodynamics, in a more understandable and useful manner than several books dedicated to thermal physics, before going on to present the joint application of statistical mechanics and thermodynamics as a very useful tool in predicting the properties of a number of types of physical system. Each chapter concludes with a selection of problems, with solutions at the end of the book, providing an oppurtunity to both test understanding of the material and develop the skills needed to apply statistical mechanics.

Finally, and most unusually for the type of subject matter covered, it is not difficult to read. The pages are clearly laid out, diagrams are used effectively and all equations are clearly ennumerated. Most importantly, however, the text covers the fundamental physics effectively and concisely, whilst providing sufficient detail on each topic.

I would consider this book essential reading for any undergraduate studying physical sciences, and a source of good reference material for anyone using the techniques of statistical mechanics at higher levels.

A detailed glimpse into applied qunatum physics, 05 Jan 2002
The book develops the ideas founded upon quatum physics and describes their relation to the basis of crystalline structures amongst others. It is ideal for physicists at an undergraduate level and beyond incorporating all of the fundamental topics required to fully understand this topic. Constructed in a clear and methodical fashion it can be classed as essential reading for any academic in the field, perfectly balanced in weight and depth.

Not quite 5 stars, but nearly., 04 Oct 2001
Only worth 4 stars because it didn't give me the answers to some fundamental difficulties I was having with Pauli paramagnetism; I had to figure them out. I was extremely pleased that it helped me reach the right conclusions though. Finally an author who seems to understand the physics behind the itinerant electron theory, instead of giving the usuall "oh yes, its like this... trust me" I've found in three other pubications (including a very high profile magnetics text).

Not only science, 22 Sep 2000
This book is an introductory text at an higher level than the Kittel's book "Introduction to Solid State Physics" and at a lower level than "The Principles of the theory Solids" by Ziman. It clearly spans almost every branch of solid state physics. Some parts -e.g. Boltzman equation and transport properties - are only briefly described. An important support to the study are the many given problems at the end of any chapter. It is really a good book but according to my experience the most serious defect is in the binding of the book with hardcover: I got two copies and both copies broke within a week...so that now I am playing with flying sheets! Upon request electronic images are available.

A classic for a solid state physicist, 13 Oct 1999
This book is an introductory text which spans almost every branch of solid state phyiscs. The exposition is clear, but the subjects are not thoroughly treated. Some parts -e.g. interband transitions - are only hinted. The most serious defect is the complete absence of references and bibliography

A classic for a solid state physicist, 13 Oct 1999
This book is an introductory text which spans almost every branch of solid state phyiscs. The exposition is clear, but the subjects are not thoroughly treated. Some parts -e.g. interband transitions - are only hinted. The most serious defect is the complete absence of references and bibliography

Readable and concise , 10 May 2008
I would recommend this book for starting graduate students and final year undergrads that want to improve their understanding of magnetism. This is an excellent book to for an experimentalist to flick through and pick out topics that you have seen in papers and not understood. For me, it is consistently clear and relevant, with enough maths to be precise, but not so much to slow the pace of reading.

Being relatively short, I would not recommend this as a reference source, but it should be more than enough for most undergraduate courses.

Most importantly, I found this book very useful.


Brilliant, 19 Aug 2004
For any senior undergraduate or first-year physics/materials science graduate needing an introduction to optical properties of solids, this is the book for you. Don't go near the standard texts (at least not until you've read this one) as I think they are too complex for the introductory reader. This is really clearly written, giving you a good overview and a solid understanding of the basics of the subject without getting bogged down in mathematics. If I was teaching a final year solid-state class, this is the book I would use. The book has plenty of illustrations and examples and is very user-friendly. Thankfully (unlike some) the author has kept all explanations concise and clear. I found I could go ahead and perform experiments and get meaningful results based on what I had learnt in this book. Get it! You will be glad you did!

An excellent introduction to the subject., 03 Aug 2000
This text provides an excelent introduction to the principles underlying statistical mechanics. Although some prior mathematical knowledge is required, this knowledge need not include a great knowledge of statistical techniques. Much of the mathematical skills needed to understand and use statistical mechanics are covered in the first couple of chapters. The text also covers some fundamental thermodynamics, in a more understandable and useful manner than several books dedicated to thermal physics, before going on to present the joint application of statistical mechanics and thermodynamics as a very useful tool in predicting the properties of a number of types of physical system. Each chapter concludes with a selection of problems, with solutions at the end of the book, providing an oppurtunity to both test understanding of the material and develop the skills needed to apply statistical mechanics.

Finally, and most unusually for the type of subject matter covered, it is not difficult to read. The pages are clearly laid out, diagrams are used effectively and all equations are clearly ennumerated. Most importantly, however, the text covers the fundamental physics effectively and concisely, whilst providing sufficient detail on each topic.

I would consider this book essential reading for any undergraduate studying physical sciences, and a source of good reference material for anyone using the techniques of statistical mechanics at higher levels.

A detailed glimpse into applied qunatum physics, 05 Jan 2002
The book develops the ideas founded upon quatum physics and describes their relation to the basis of crystalline structures amongst others. It is ideal for physicists at an undergraduate level and beyond incorporating all of the fundamental topics required to fully understand this topic. Constructed in a clear and methodical fashion it can be classed as essential reading for any academic in the field, perfectly balanced in weight and depth.

Not quite 5 stars, but nearly., 04 Oct 2001
Only worth 4 stars because it didn't give me the answers to some fundamental difficulties I was having with Pauli paramagnetism; I had to figure them out. I was extremely pleased that it helped me reach the right conclusions though. Finally an author who seems to understand the physics behind the itinerant electron theory, instead of giving the usuall "oh yes, its like this... trust me" I've found in three other pubications (including a very high profile magnetics text).

Not only science, 22 Sep 2000
This book is an introductory text at an higher level than the Kittel's book "Introduction to Solid State Physics" and at a lower level than "The Principles of the theory Solids" by Ziman. It clearly spans almost every branch of solid state physics. Some parts -e.g. Boltzman equation and transport properties - are only briefly described. An important support to the study are the many given problems at the end of any chapter. It is really a good book but according to my experience the most serious defect is in the binding of the book with hardcover: I got two copies and both copies broke within a week...so that now I am playing with flying sheets! Upon request electronic images are available.

A classic for a solid state physicist, 13 Oct 1999
This book is an introductory text which spans almost every branch of solid state phyiscs. The exposition is clear, but the subjects are not thoroughly treated. Some parts -e.g. interband transitions - are only hinted. The most serious defect is the complete absence of references and bibliography

A classic for a solid state physicist, 13 Oct 1999
This book is an introductory text which spans almost every branch of solid state phyiscs. The exposition is clear, but the subjects are not thoroughly treated. Some parts -e.g. interband transitions - are only hinted. The most serious defect is the complete absence of references and bibliography

Readable and concise , 10 May 2008
I would recommend this book for starting graduate students and final year undergrads that want to improve their understanding of magnetism. This is an excellent book to for an experimentalist to flick through and pick out topics that you have seen in papers and not understood. For me, it is consistently clear and relevant, with enough maths to be precise, but not so much to slow the pace of reading.

Being relatively short, I would not recommend this as a reference source, but it should be more than enough for most undergraduate courses.

Most importantly, I found this book very useful.


Brilliant, 19 Aug 2004
For any senior undergraduate or first-year physics/materials science graduate needing an introduction to optical properties of solids, this is the book for you. Don't go near the standard texts (at least not until you've read this one) as I think they are too complex for the introductory reader. This is really clearly written, giving you a good overview and a solid understanding of the basics of the subject without getting bogged down in mathematics. If I was teaching a final year solid-state class, this is the book I would use. The book has plenty of illustrations and examples and is very user-friendly. Thankfully (unlike some) the author has kept all explanations concise and clear. I found I could go ahead and perform experiments and get meaningful results based on what I had learnt in this book. Get it! You will be glad you did!

Thankyou Mark Fox for making Quantum Optics accessible and enjoyable!, 21 Oct 2007
I wish this book had been published when I first started as a grad student! Instead there was Loudon's "The Quantum Theory of Light" and Marlan Scully's "Quantum Optics" - both excellent books, but both lose sight of the fundamental physics, and do not really bridge the gap between most physics degrees and the subtle mathematical world of quantum optics. This is a book which really introduces the subject from a concise fundamental physics footing, taking into account that new grad students are not experts in the field - it is enough work for some students to come to terms with a lot of new mathematics, let alone try and understand where many physical approximations creep in - some quantum optics lectures simply introduce expressions without explanation, and this book seems to answer most of them.

A case in point is the quantum treatment of the Hanbury Brown-Twiss experiment, where in the treatement of one of the beamsplitter output ports, a subtraction appears. This book is the only place where I've clearly seen sufficient explanation, in a margin note, that this arises through conservation of energy (actually you are not handed this on a plate, but given a guided problem that shows how it arises, which is a good idea).

And here lies the only complaint about the book, that it uses margin notes. It might sound a strange complaint, perhaps its just me being stupid, but if you've spent a few years reading books and papers where you're used to scanning through single column blocks of text for a vital bit of information, your eyes don't immediately notice an off-set, small block of margin text (in small font, so it looks like a figure caption). A few times I've been caught out searching for explanations in the main body of the text, only to realise after much head scratching that its in the margin notes!

In all, I find this the best book I've ever read - it makes quantum optics enjoyable, simply because of the grass-roots physics. Not everybody in quantum optics is a theorist, some people actually have to do experiments, which is the hardest part of quantum optics.

Thankyou Mark Fox for making Quantum Optics accessible and enjoyable to all!

An excellent introduction to the subject., 03 Aug 2000
This text provides an excelent introduction to the principles underlying statistical mechanics. Although some prior mathematical knowledge is required, this knowledge need not include a great knowledge of statistical techniques. Much of the mathematical skills needed to understand and use statistical mechanics are covered in the first couple of chapters. The text also covers some fundamental thermodynamics, in a more understandable and useful manner than several books dedicated to thermal physics, before going on to present the joint application of statistical mechanics and thermodynamics as a very useful tool in predicting the properties of a number of types of physical system. Each chapter concludes with a selection of problems, with solutions at the end of the book, providing an oppurtunity to both test understanding of the material and develop the skills needed to apply statistical mechanics.

Finally, and most unusually for the type of subject matter covered, it is not difficult to read. The pages are clearly laid out, diagrams are used effectively and all equations are clearly ennumerated. Most importantly, however, the text covers the fundamental physics effectively and concisely, whilst providing sufficient detail on each topic.

I would consider this book essential reading for any undergraduate studying physical sciences, and a source of good reference material for anyone using the techniques of statistical mechanics at higher levels.

A detailed glimpse into applied qunatum physics, 05 Jan 2002
The book develops the ideas founded upon quatum physics and describes their relation to the basis of crystalline structures amongst others. It is ideal for physicists at an undergraduate level and beyond incorporating all of the fundamental topics required to fully understand this topic. Constructed in a clear and methodical fashion it can be classed as essential reading for any academic in the field, perfectly balanced in weight and depth.

Not quite 5 stars, but nearly., 04 Oct 2001
Only worth 4 stars because it didn't give me the answers to some fundamental difficulties I was having with Pauli paramagnetism; I had to figure them out. I was extremely pleased that it helped me reach the right conclusions though. Finally an author who seems to understand the physics behind the itinerant electron theory, instead of giving the usuall "oh yes, its like this... trust me" I've found in three other pubications (including a very high profile magnetics text).

Not only science, 22 Sep 2000
This book is an introductory text at an higher level than the Kittel's book "Introduction to Solid State Physics" and at a lower level than "The Principles of the theory Solids" by Ziman. It clearly spans almost every branch of solid state physics. Some parts -e.g. Boltzman equation and transport properties - are only briefly described. An important support to the study are the many given problems at the end of any chapter. It is really a good book but according to my experience the most serious defect is in the binding of the book with hardcover: I got two copies and both copies broke within a week...so that now I am playing with flying sheets! Upon request electronic images are available.

A classic for a solid state physicist, 13 Oct 1999
This book is an introductory text which spans almost every branch of solid state phyiscs. The exposition is clear, but the subjects are not thoroughly treated. Some parts -e.g. interband transitions - are only hinted. The most serious defect is the complete absence of references and bibliography

A classic for a solid state physicist, 13 Oct 1999
This book is an introductory text which spans almost every branch of solid state phyiscs. The exposition is clear, but the subjects are not thoroughly treated. Some parts -e.g. interband transitions - are only hinted. The most serious defect is the complete absence of references and bibliography

Readable and concise , 10 May 2008
I would recommend this book for starting graduate students and final year undergrads that want to improve their understanding of magnetism. This is an excellent book to for an experimentalist to flick through and pick out topics that you have seen in papers and not understood. For me, it is consistently clear and relevant, with enough maths to be precise, but not so much to slow the pace of reading.

Being relatively short, I would not recommend this as a reference source, but it should be more than enough for most undergraduate courses.

Most importantly, I found this book very useful.


Brilliant, 19 Aug 2004
For any senior undergraduate or first-year physics/materials science graduate needing an introduction to optical properties of solids, this is the book for you. Don't go near the standard texts (at least not until you've read this one) as I think they are too complex for the introductory reader. This is really clearly written, giving you a good overview and a solid understanding of the basics of the subject without getting bogged down in mathematics. If I was teaching a final year solid-state class, this is the book I would use. The book has plenty of illustrations and examples and is very user-friendly. Thankfully (unlike some) the author has kept all explanations concise and clear. I found I could go ahead and perform experiments and get meaningful results based on what I had learnt in this book. Get it! You will be glad you did!

Thankyou Mark Fox for making Quantum Optics accessible and enjoyable!, 21 Oct 2007
I wish this book had been published when I first started as a grad student! Instead there was Loudon's "The Quantum Theory of Light" and Marlan Scully's "Quantum Optics" - both excellent books, but both lose sight of the fundamental physics, and do not really bridge the gap between most physics degrees and the subtle mathematical world of quantum optics. This is a book which really introduces the subject from a concise fundamental physics footing, taking into account that new grad students are not experts in the field - it is enough work for some students to come to terms with a lot of new mathematics, let alone try and understand where many physical approximations creep in - some quantum optics lectures simply introduce expressions without explanation, and this book seems to answer most of them.

A case in point is the quantum treatment of the Hanbury Brown-Twiss experiment, where in the treatement of one of the beamsplitter output ports, a subtraction appears. This book is the only place where I've clearly seen sufficient explanation, in a margin note, that this arises through conservation of energy (actually you are not handed this on a plate, but given a guided problem that shows how it arises, which is a good idea).

And here lies the only complaint about the book, that it uses margin notes. It might sound a strange complaint, perhaps its just me being stupid, but if you've spent a few years reading books and papers where you're used to scanning through single column blocks of text for a vital bit of information, your eyes don't immediately notice an off-set, small block of margin text (in small font, so it looks like a figure caption). A few times I've been caught out searching for explanations in the main body of the text, only to realise after much head scratching that its in the margin notes!

In all, I find this the best book I've ever read - it makes quantum optics enjoyable, simply because of the grass-roots physics. Not everybody in quantum optics is a theorist, some people actually have to do experiments, which is the hardest part of quantum optics.

Thankyou Mark Fox for making Quantum Optics accessible and enjoyable to all!

lecture notes, 16 Dec 2003
If you sit the course given by Brian Tanner then this is an absolutely essential text. If you are not fortunate enough to be lectured by him then the text makes for an excellent introduction to the concepts of solid state physics. Read to ensure you get the basics right before getting lost as concepts are developed.

An excellent introduction to the subject., 03 Aug 2000
This text provides an excelent introduction to the principles underlying statistical mechanics. Although some prior mathematical knowledge is required, this knowledge need not include a great knowledge of statistical techniques. Much of the mathematical skills needed to understand and use statistical mechanics are covered in the first couple of chapters. The text also covers some fundamental thermodynamics, in a more understandable and useful manner than several books dedicated to thermal physics, before going on to present the joint application of statistical mechanics and thermodynamics as a very useful tool in predicting the properties of a number of types of physical system. Each chapter concludes with a selection of problems, with solutions at the end of the book, providing an oppurtunity to both test understanding of the material and develop the skills needed to apply statistical mechanics.

Finally, and most unusually for the type of subject matter covered, it is not difficult to read. The pages are clearly laid out, diagrams are used effectively and all equations are clearly ennumerated. Most importantly, however, the text covers the fundamental physics effectively and concisely, whilst providing sufficient detail on each topic.

I would consider this book essential reading for any undergraduate studying physical sciences, and a source of good reference material for anyone using the techniques of statistical mechanics at higher levels.

A detailed glimpse into applied qunatum physics, 05 Jan 2002
The book develops the ideas founded upon quatum physics and describes their relation to the basis of crystalline structures amongst others. It is ideal for physicists at an undergraduate level and beyond incorporating all of the fundamental topics required to fully understand this topic. Constructed in a clear and methodical fashion it can be classed as essential reading for any academic in the field, perfectly balanced in weight and depth.

Not quite 5 stars, but nearly., 04 Oct 2001
Only worth 4 stars because it didn't give me the answers to some fundamental difficulties I was having with Pauli paramagnetism; I had to figure them out. I was extremely pleased that it helped me reach the right conclusions though. Finally an author who seems to understand the physics behind the itinerant electron theory, instead of giving the usuall "oh yes, its like this... trust me" I've found in three other pubications (including a very high profile magnetics text).

Not only science, 22 Sep 2000
This book is an introductory text at an higher level than the Kittel's book "Introduction to Solid State Physics" and at a lower level than "The Principles of the theory Solids" by Ziman. It clearly spans almost every branch of solid state physics. Some parts -e.g. Boltzman equation and transport properties - are only briefly described. An important support to the study are the many given problems at the end of any chapter. It is really a good book but according to my experience the most serious defect is in the binding of the book with hardcover: I got two copies and both copies broke within a week...so that now I am playing with flying sheets! Upon request electronic images are available.

A classic for a solid state physicist, 13 Oct 1999
This book is an introductory text which spans almost every branch of solid state phyiscs. The exposition is clear, but the subjects are not thoroughly treated. Some parts -e.g. interband transitions - are only hinted. The most serious defect is the complete absence of references and bibliography

A classic for a solid state physicist, 13 Oct 1999
This book is an introductory text which spans almost every branch of solid state phyiscs. The exposition is clear, but the subjects are not thoroughly treated. Some parts -e.g. interband transitions - are only hinted. The most serious defect is the complete absence of references and bibliography

Readable and concise , 10 May 2008
I would recommend this book for starting graduate students and final year undergrads that want to improve their understanding of magnetism. This is an excellent book to for an experimentalist to flick through and pick out topics that you have seen in papers and not understood. For me, it is consistently clear and relevant, with enough maths to be precise, but not so much to slow the pace of reading.

Being relatively short, I would not recommend this as a reference source, but it should be more than enough for most undergraduate courses.

Most importantly, I found this book very useful.


Brilliant, 19 Aug 2004
For any senior undergraduate or first-year physics/materials science graduate needing an introduction to optical properties of solids, this is the book for you. Don't go near the standard texts (at least not until you've read this one) as I think they are too complex for the introductory reader. This is really clearly written, giving you a good overview and a solid understanding of the basics of the subject without getting bogged down in mathematics. If I was teaching a final year solid-state class, this is the book I would use. The book has plenty of illustrations and examples and is very user-friendly. Thankfully (unlike some) the author has kept all explanations concise and clear. I found I could go ahead and perform experiments and get meaningful results based on what I had learnt in this book. Get it! You will be glad you did!

Thankyou Mark Fox for making Quantum Optics accessible and enjoyable!, 21 Oct 2007
I wish this book had been published when I first started as a grad student! Instead there was Loudon's "The Quantum Theory of Light" and Marlan Scully's "Quantum Optics" - both excellent books, but both lose sight of the fundamental physics, and do not really bridge the gap between most physics degrees and the subtle mathematical world of quantum optics. This is a book which really introduces the subject from a concise fundamental physics footing, taking into account that new grad students are not experts in the field - it is enough work for some students to come to terms with a lot of new mathematics, let alone try and understand where many physical approximations creep in - some quantum optics lectures simply introduce expressions without explanation, and this book seems to answer most of them.

A case in point is the quantum treatment of the Hanbury Brown-Twiss experiment, where in the treatement of one of the beamsplitter output ports, a subtraction appears. This book is the only place where I've clearly seen sufficient explanation, in a margin note, that this arises through conservation of energy (actually you are not handed this on a plate, but given a guided problem that shows how it arises, which is a good idea).

And here lies the only complaint about the book, that it uses margin notes. It might sound a strange complaint, perhaps its just me being stupid, but if you've spent a few years reading books and papers where you're used to scanning through single column blocks of text for a vital bit of information, your eyes don't immediately notice an off-set, small block of margin text (in small font, so it looks like a figure caption). A few times I've been caught out searching for explanations in the main body of the text, only to realise after much head scratching that its in the margin notes!

In all, I find this the best book I've ever read - it makes quantum optics enjoyable, simply because of the grass-roots physics. Not everybody in quantum optics is a theorist, some people actually have to do experiments, which is the hardest part of quantum optics.

Thankyou Mark Fox for making Quantum Optics accessible and enjoyable to all!

lecture notes, 16 Dec 2003
If you sit the course given by Brian Tanner then this is an absolutely essential text. If you are not fortunate enough to be lectured by him then the text makes for an excellent introduction to the concepts of solid state physics. Read to ensure you get the basics right before getting lost as concepts are developed.

Good but slightly dated., 08 May 2008
The book teaches you how to solve Newtons law for a system of atoms and use the data material to calculate thermodynamical quantities, so don't buy the book if you want to learn about electron structure.

Allen and Tildesley's book is wonderful and well written, but some of the algorithms are a bit dated, so the book cannot stand alone. So if you only have money for one book you should buy Frenkel and Smits "Understanding Molecular Simulation" instead of this one (but preferably you should buy both books as Amazon suggests you.).

The reference book on MD and MC simulations, 10 Oct 2001
Very comprehensive and authoritative, covers in-depth the fields of classical Molecular Dynamics and Monte Carlo simulation techniques. With a clear and clean approach it gives good insight into the foundations, the applications and the limits of MD and MC. Programming examples are included. Though written in 1989, it is still an unreplaceable reference on these matters.

An excellent introduction to the subject., 03 Aug 2000
This text provides an excelent introduction to the principles underlying statistical mechanics. Although some prior mathematical knowledge is required, this knowledge need not include a great knowledge of statistical techniques. Much of the mathematical skills needed to understand and use statistical mechanics are covered in the first couple of chapters. The text also covers some fundamental thermodynamics, in a more understandable and useful manner than several books dedicated to thermal physics, before going on to present the joint application of statistical mechanics and thermodynamics as a very useful tool in predicting the properties of a number of types of physical system. Each chapter concludes with a selection of problems, with solutions at the end of the book, providing an oppurtunity to both test understanding of the material and develop the skills needed to apply statistical mechanics.

Finally, and most unusually for the type of subject matter covered, it is not difficult to read. The pages are clearly laid out, diagrams are used effectively and all equations are clearly ennumerated. Most importantly, however, the text covers the fundamental physics effectively and concisely, whilst providing sufficient detail on each topic.

I would consider this book essential reading for any undergraduate studying physical sciences, and a source of good reference material for anyone using the techniques of statistical mechanics at higher levels.

A detailed glimpse into applied qunatum physics, 05 Jan 2002
The book develops the ideas founded upon quatum physics and describes their relation to the basis of crystalline structures amongst others. It is ideal for physicists at an undergraduate level and beyond incorporating all of the fundamental topics required to fully understand this topic. Constructed in a clear and methodical fashion it can be classed as essential reading for any academic in the field, perfectly balanced in weight and depth.

Not quite 5 stars, but nearly., 04 Oct 2001
Only worth 4 stars because it didn't give me the answers to some fundamental difficulties I was having with Pauli paramagnetism; I had to figure them out. I was extremely pleased that it helped me reach the right conclusions though. Finally an author who seems to understand the physics behind the itinerant electron theory, instead of giving the usuall "oh yes, its like this... trust me" I've found in three other pubications (including a very high profile magnetics text).

Not only science, 22 Sep 2000
This book is an introductory text at an higher level than the Kittel's book "Introduction to Solid State Physics" and at a lower level than "The Principles of the theory Solids" by Ziman. It clearly spans almost every branch of solid state physics. Some parts -e.g. Boltzman equation and transport properties - are only briefly described. An important support to the study are the many given problems at the end of any chapter. It is really a good book but according to my experience the most serious defect is in the binding of the book with hardcover: I got two copies and both copies broke within a week...so that now I am playing with flying sheets! Upon request electronic images are available.

A classic for a solid state physicist, 13 Oct 1999
This book is an introductory text which spans almost every branch of solid state phyiscs. The exposition is clear, but the subjects are not thoroughly treated. Some parts -e.g. interband transitions - are only hinted. The most serious defect is the complete absence of references and bibliography

A classic for a solid state physicist, 13 Oct 1999
This book is an introductory text which spans almost every branch of solid state phyiscs. The exposition is clear, but the subjects are not thoroughly treated. Some parts -e.g. interband transitions - are only hinted. The most serious defect is the complete absence of references and bibliography

Readable and concise , 10 May 2008
I would recommend this book for starting graduate students and final year undergrads that want to improve their understanding of magnetism. This is an excellent book to for an experimentalist to flick through and pick out topics that you have seen in papers and not understood. For me, it is consistently clear and relevant, with enough maths to be precise, but not so much to slow the pace of reading.

Being relatively short, I would not recommend this as a reference source, but it should be more than enough for most undergraduate courses.

Most importantly, I found this book very useful.


Brilliant, 19 Aug 2004
For any senior undergraduate or first-year physics/materials science graduate needing an introduction to optical properties of solids, this is the book for you. Don't go near the standard texts (at least not until you've read this one) as I think they are too complex for the introductory reader. This is really clearly written, giving you a good overview and a solid understanding of the basics of the subject without getting bogged down in mathematics. If I was teaching a final year solid-state class, this is the book I would use. The book has plenty of illustrations and examples and is very user-friendly. Thankfully (unlike some) the author has kept all explanations concise and clear. I found I could go ahead and perform experiments and get meaningful results based on what I had learnt in this book. Get it! You will be glad you did!

Thankyou Mark Fox for making Quantum Optics accessible and enjoyable!, 21 Oct 2007
I wish this book had been published when I first started as a grad student! Instead there was Loudon's "The Quantum Theory of Light" and Marlan Scully's "Quantum Optics" - both excellent books, but both lose sight of the fundamental physics, and do not really bridge the gap between most physics degrees and the subtle mathematical world of quantum optics. This is a book which really introduces the subject from a concise fundamental physics footing, taking into account that new grad students are not experts in the field - it is enough work for some students to come to terms with a lot of new mathematics, let alone try and understand where many physical approximations creep in - some quantum optics lectures simply introduce expressions without explanation, and this book seems to answer most of them.

A case in point is the quantum treatment of the Hanbury Brown-Twiss experiment, where in the treatement of one of the beamsplitter output ports, a subtraction appears. This book is the only place where I've clearly seen sufficient explanation, in a margin note, that this arises through conservation of energy (actually you are not handed this on a plate, but given a guided problem that shows how it arises, which is a good idea).

And here lies the only complaint about the book, that it uses margin notes. It might sound a strange complaint, perhaps its just me being stupid, but if you've spent a few years reading books and papers where you're used to scanning through single column blocks of text for a vital bit of information, your eyes don't immediately notice an off-set, small block of margin text (in small font, so it looks like a figure caption). A few times I've been caught out searching for explanations in the main body of the text, only to realise after much head scratching that its in the margin notes!

In all, I find this the best book I've ever read - it makes quantum optics enjoyable, simply because of the grass-roots physics. Not everybody in quantum optics is a theorist, some people actually have to do experiments, which is the hardest part of quantum optics.

Thankyou Mark Fox for making Quantum Optics accessible and enjoyable to all!

lecture notes, 16 Dec 2003
If you sit the course given by Brian Tanner then this is an absolutely essential text. If you are not fortunate enough to be lectured by him then the text makes for an excellent introduction to the concepts of solid state physics. Read to ensure you get the basics right before getting lost as concepts are developed.

Good but slightly dated., 08 May 2008
The book teaches you how to solve Newtons law for a system of atoms and use the data material to calculate thermodynamical quantities, so don't buy the book if you want to learn about electron structure.

Allen and Tildesley's book is wonderful and well written, but some of the algorithms are a bit dated, so the book cannot stand alone. So if you only have money for one book you should buy Frenkel and Smits "Understanding Molecular Simulation" instead of this one (but preferably you should buy both books as Amazon suggests you.).

The reference book on MD and MC simulations, 10 Oct 2001
Very comprehensive and authoritative, covers in-depth the fields of classical Molecular Dynamics and Monte Carlo simulation techniques. With a clear and clean approach it gives good insight into the foundations, the applications and the limits of MD and MC. Programming examples are included. Though written in 1989, it is still an unreplaceable reference on these matters.

An essential undergraduate text, 04 Jun 2004
Most physics degree courses don't cover the topic of Statistical Mechanics until some way through the second year and this is mostly due to students requiring a reasonable grounding in thermodynamics, which is traditionally a 2nd year topic. Statistical Mechanics: A Survival Guide is an excellent book for any student studying this subject as it starts off by explaining the basics of statistics in such a manner that is very easy to understand. The foundations that it sets in the first chapter ensure that you have a very clear understanding of these basics, which are extremely important for grasping the idea of a microstate, essential to deriving the distribution functions for the various types of particle. It gives very complete discussions on quantum statistics and its applications along with the standard sections on ideal gases. The links between thermodynamics and statistical mechanics are frequently highlighted so as to show how the two subjects go hand in hand. This is an excellent text on a subject that can become very complicated and the presentation and explanations in the book cannot be faulted.

My only quibble is the price - I would have expected just a little bit more for my money but nonetheless I still consider it an essential book for a physics student to have on their shelf.

An excellent introduction to the subject., 03 Aug 2000
This text provides an excelent introduction to the principles underlying statistical mechanics. Although some prior mathematical knowledge is required, this knowledge need not include a great knowledge of statistical techniques. Much of the mathematical skills needed to understand and use statistical mechanics are covered in the first couple of chapters. The text also covers some fundamental thermodynamics, in a more understandable and useful manner than several books dedicated to thermal physics, before going on to present the joint application of statistical mechanics and thermodynamics as a very useful tool in predicting the properties of a number of types of physical system. Each chapter concludes with a selection of problems, with solutions at the end of the book, providing an oppurtunity to both test understanding of the material and develop the skills needed to apply statistical mechanics.

Finally, and most unusually for the type of subject matter covered, it is not difficult to read. The pages are clearly laid out, diagrams are used effectively and all equations are clearly ennumerated. Most importantly, however, the text covers the fundamental physics effectively and concisely, whilst providing sufficient detail on each topic.

I would consider this book essential reading for any undergraduate studying physical sciences, and a source of good reference material for anyone using the techniques of statistical mechanics at higher levels.

A detailed glimpse into applied qunatum physics, 05 Jan 2002
The book develops the ideas founded upon quatum physics and describes their relation to the basis of crystalline structures amongst others. It is ideal for physicists at an undergraduate level and beyond incorporating all of the fundamental topics required to fully understand this topic. Constructed in a clear and methodical fashion it can be classed as essential reading for any academic in the field, perfectly balanced in weight and depth.

Not quite 5 stars, but nearly., 04 Oct 2001
Only worth 4 stars because it didn't give me the answers to some fundamental difficulties I was having with Pauli paramagnetism; I had to figure them out. I was extremely pleased that it helped me reach the right conclusions though. Finally an author who seems to understand the physics behind the itinerant electron theory, instead of giving the usuall "oh yes, its like this... trust me" I've found in three other pubications (including a very high profile magnetics text).

Not only science, 22 Sep 2000
This book is an introductory text at an higher level than the Kittel's book "Introduction to Solid State Physics" and at a lower level than "The Principles of the theory Solids" by Ziman. It clearly spans almost every branch of solid state physics. Some parts -e.g. Boltzman equation and transport properties - are only briefly described. An important support to the study are the many given problems at the end of any chapter. It is really a good book but according to my experience the most serious defect is in the binding of the book with hardcover: I got two copies and both copies broke within a week...so that now I am playing with flying sheets! Upon request electronic images are available.

A classic for a solid state physicist, 13 Oct 1999
This book is an introductory text which spans almost every branch of solid state phyiscs. The exposition is clear, but the subjects are not thoroughly treated. Some parts -e.g. interband transitions - are only hinted. The most serious defect is the complete absence of references and bibliography

A classic for a solid state physicist, 13 Oct 1999
This book is an introductory text which spans almost every branch of solid state phyiscs. The exposition is clear, but the subjects are not thoroughly treated. Some parts -e.g. interband transitions - are only hinted. The most serious defect is the complete absence of references and bibliography

Readable and concise , 10 May 2008
I would recommend this book for starting graduate students and final year undergrads that want to improve their understanding of magnetism. This is an excellent book to for an experimentalist to flick through and pick out topics that you have seen in papers and not understood. For me, it is consistently clear and relevant, with enough maths to be precise, but not so much to slow the pace of reading.

Being relatively short, I would not recommend this as a reference source, but it should be more than enough for most undergraduate courses.

Most importantly, I found this book very useful.


Brilliant, 19 Aug 2004
For any senior undergraduate or first-year physics/materials science graduate needing an introduction to optical properties of solids, this is the book for you. Don't go near the standard texts (at least not until you've read this one) as I think they are too complex for the introductory reader. This is really clearly written, giving you a good overview and a solid understanding of the basics of the subject without getting bogged down in mathematics. If I was teaching a final year solid-state class, this is the book I would use. The book has plenty of illustrations and examples and is very user-friendly. Thankfully (unlike some) the author has kept all explanations concise and clear. I found I could go ahead and perform experiments and get meaningful results based on what I had learnt in this book. Get it! You will be glad you did!

Thankyou Mark Fox for making Quantum Optics accessible and enjoyable!, 21 Oct 2007
I wish this book had been published when I first started as a grad student! Instead there was Loudon's "The Quantum Theory of Light" and Marlan Scully's "Quantum Optics" - both excellent books, but both lose sight of the fundamental physics, and do not really bridge the gap between most physics degrees and the subtle mathematical world of quantum optics. This is a book which really introduces the subject from a concise fundamental physics footing, taking into account that new grad students are not experts in the field - it is enough work for some students to come to terms with a lot of new mathematics, let alone try and understand where many physical approximations creep in - some quantum optics lectures simply introduce expressions without explanation, and this book seems to answer most of them.

A case in point is the quantum treatment of the Hanbury Brown-Twiss experiment, where in the treatement of one of the beamsplitter output ports, a subtraction appears. This book is the only place where I've clearly seen sufficient explanation, in a margin note, that this arises through conservation of energy (actually you are not handed this on a plate, but given a guided problem that shows how it arises, which is a good idea).

And here lies the only complaint about the book, that it uses margin notes. It might sound a strange complaint, perhaps its just me being stupid, but if you've spent a few years reading books and papers where you're used to scanning through single column blocks of text for a vital bit of information, your eyes don't immediately notice an off-set, small block of margin text (in small font, so it looks like a figure caption). A few times I've been caught out searching for explanations in the main body of the text, only to realise after much head scratching that its in the margin notes!

In all, I find this the best book I've ever read - it makes quantum optics enjoyable, simply because of the grass-roots physics. Not everybody in quantum optics is a theorist, some people actually have to do experiments, which is the hardest part of quantum optics.

Thankyou Mark Fox for making Quantum Optics accessible and enjoyable to all!

lecture notes, 16 Dec 2003
If you sit the course given by Brian Tanner then this is an absolutely essential text. If you are not fortunate enough to be lectured by him then the text makes for an excellent introduction to the concepts of solid state physics. Read to ensure you get the basics right before getting lost as concepts are developed.

Good but slightly dated., 08 May 2008
The book teaches you how to solve Newtons law for a system of atoms and use the data material to calculate thermodynamical quantities, so don't buy the book if you want to learn about electron structure.

Allen and Tildesley's book is wonderful and well written, but some of the algorithms are a bit dated, so the book cannot stand alone. So if you only have money for one book you should buy Frenkel and Smits "Understanding Molecular Simulation" instead of this one (but preferably you should buy both books as Amazon suggests you.).

The reference book on MD and MC simulations, 10 Oct 2001
Very comprehensive and authoritative, covers in-depth the fields of classical Molecular Dynamics and Monte Carlo simulation techniques. With a clear and clean approach it gives good insight into the foundations, the applications and the limits of MD and MC. Programming examples are included. Though written in 1989, it is still an unreplaceable reference on these matters.

An essential undergraduate text, 04 Jun 2004
Most physics degree courses don't cover the topic of Statistical Mechanics until some way through the second year and this is mostly due to students requiring a reasonable grounding in thermodynamics, which is traditionally a 2nd year topic. Statistical Mechanics: A Survival Guide is an excellent book for any student studying this subject as it starts off by explaining the basics of statistics in such a manner that is very easy to understand. The foundations that it sets in the first chapter ensure that you have a very clear understanding of these basics, which are extremely important for grasping the idea of a microstate, essential to deriving the distribution functions for the various types of particle. It gives very complete discussions on quantum statistics and its applications along with the standard sections on ideal gases. The links between thermodynamics and statistical mechanics are frequently highlighted so as to show how the two subjects go hand in hand. This is an excellent text on a subject that can become very complicated and the presentation and explanations in the book cannot be faulted.

My only quibble is the price - I would have expected just a little bit more for my money but nonetheless I still consider it an essential book for a physics student to have on their shelf.

Great introduction to foam research, 09 Jul 2001
I am a researcher in the field of foam and froth physics and this book has become required reading for any new student in our group. It provides an excellent introduction to the physics of foam systems, from the goemetry and topology (where Denis Weaire and Robert Phelan have proven that one of Lord Kelvin's conjectures on the minimum eneryg structure of foam was wrong) to the fluid dynamics and rheology of foams.

Whether your interest in physics is quite casual or unrelated to foams, this book provides a good and very readable foundation in what is a surprisingly complex and fascinating field of study.