Description: This book develops the subject from the basic principles of quantum mechanics. The emphasis is on a single statement of the ideas underlying the various approximations that have to be used and care is taken to separate sound arguments from conjecture. This book is written for the student of theoretical physics who wants to work in the field of solids and for the experimenter with a knowledge of quantum theory who is not content to take other people's arguments for granted. The treatment covers the electron theory of metals as well as the dynamics of crystals, including the author's work on the thermal conductivity of crystals which has been previously published in English.
Review Quotes: "Peierls employs an economy of style and clarity of thought that distils the whole subject into a short and highly readable account. At the same time he infects the reader with his delight in discovering the curious consequences of applying the new quantum theory to periodic crystals. He begins in modern tradition with a discussion of lattice waves and immediately tackles the question of interaction with light and thermal conductivity. . .Peierls is very clear how an apparent mathematical necessity is manifest in a physical property. He always explains how the physics arises from the mathematics. . .I can recommend his clear treatment of theory of spin waves to the modern reader."--Materails World