Contains 34 carefully written and edited reviews, some of which relate to well-established fields (atomic physics, nuclear physics, quantum mechanics, relativity, statistical mechanics) but many of which relate to fields which have only recently begun to generate interest and results (chaos, quasicrystals, unified field theories). The emphasis throughout is on recent developments, and the objective is to put the reader presumed to be (say) a graduate student in position to appreciate the thrust and excitement of current activity in the fields treated. No effort has been made to be literally "encyclopedic", but every effort has been made to be authoritative and clear. Brief references appear at the end of each of the profusely illustrated articles, some of which (inevitably) are better than others. Derives from the Encyclopedia of physical science and technology (Academic Press, 1987); reference libraries might prefer to shelve the larger work, but price and compactness make the present volume quite attractive. (NW) Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or. Read Less