FROM ORDER TO CHAOS II

This book is a compilation of the review papers, expositions and some of the technical works of Leo Kadanoff, a theoretical physicist. The objective is to put together a group of not-too-technical writing in which he discusses some issues in condensed matter physics, hydrodynamics, applied mathematics and national policy.

This expanded edition is divided into five sections. The first section contains review papers on hydrodynamics, condensed matter physics and field theory. Next is a selection of papers on scaling and universality, particularly as applied to phase changes. A change of pace is provided by a series of papers on the critical analysis of simulation models of urban economic and social development. The book concludes with a series of recent papers on complex patterns. Each major section has an introduction designed to tie the work together and to provide perspective on the subject matter.

Contents:

Fundamental Issues in Hydrodynamics, Condensed Matter and Field Theory
Scaling and Phase Transitions
Simulations, Urban Studies, and Social Systems
Turbulence and Chaos
Complex Patterns

Readership: Condensed matter physicists, applied mathematicians and computer scientists.

“World Scientific has made available a collection of Leo's reviews, essays columns and commentaries which is a feast in several senses: the strategy and tactics of science, the science itself, the history of several important developments in science, and as a bonus a beautifully illustrated collection of essays on computational science. The average reader may find this, the final section of the book, most interesting, but for me the account of his discovery of scaling, for which, inexplicably, he did not receive the Nobel prize, is most intriguing. Leo's combination of verve, frankness and insight makes this a very good read.”

P W Anderson
Princeton Univ.

“Publication of this volume will be very useful, especially for young readers. The papers disseminated over many journals acquire a new quality by being collected together. Readers not only can see a result in its final form, but also can trace its evolution.”

J Fluid Mechanics

“It remains fascinating and often inspirational material, for the author has helped found fields and illuminate areas wherever he worked.”

Mathematical Reviews

768pp		Pub. date: Mar 1999
ISBN: 978-981-02-3433-1 981-02-3433-3		US$141 / £93

768pp		Pub. date: Mar 1999
ISBN: 978-981-02-3434-8(pbk) 981-02-3434-1(pbk)		US$92 / £60

768pp		Pub. date: Mar 1999
ISBN: 978-981-238-475-1(ebook) 981-238-475-8(ebook)		US$183

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