Statistical physics, explains Huang, describes the aggregate properties of matter in terms of the physical laws governing atomic motion. The first edition of his textbook (no date noted) was based on a one-semester course he taught at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for advanced undergraduate students who had completed introductory courses in classical and quantum physics. Nearly half is devoted to the classical view, focusing in particular on statistical mechanics and stochastic processes. Then he turns to quantum mechanics, highlighting the quantum phase, which is what makes quantum mechanics different from classical mechanics. The final chapters look at advanced applications in the Ginsburg-Landua theory of the order parameter, superfluidity, and superconductivity. Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)