Presents a condensed sequence of physical principles that link macroscopic mechanical, thermal, and electrical phenomena to their microscopic quantum origin, statistical description, and atomic structure. This book uses simple models and allows contact with the behavior of real phenomena, real substances, and aspects of research. "The book is considerable in its topic coverage and capacity ? . Presentational style is not at all intimidating despite some extremely specialised content and is seen by the reader as both eloquent and succinct. This level 2 or 3 degree text has substantive coverage across the topics ? Formulation and ordering of chapters is also well considered and moves cogently in a well-stated direction ? It is certainly clear that both Rogalski and Palmer are very experienced university teachers and active researchers, which helps to invigorate the book. The authors do an outstanding job of contextualising the field and the reading is made ever more engrossing and unambiguous by the clever use of elucidative graphs and simple but demonstrative schematics. ? students and advanced-research readers will enjoy the text and see its wider merits. ? One significant merit of this book is that is contains all the taught or desired elements that are not presented under a single cover elsewhere and this is rarely found. This book is a satisfyingly good read because of its diversity of topics, praise-worthy précis-style clear explanatory text, and simple delineatory diagrams. The book is also valuable in that just sufficient depth is given to most topics and both maths content and theoretical explanation and background are not over-the-top. ? the content is excellent and there are certainly no shortfalls in terms of providing worked examples ? recommended for primarily M-level study or for final year (year 2 on some courses) degree physics."-Reviews, Volume 10, Issue 2, December 2009