In this textbook aimed at advanced undergraduate and beginning graduate physics students, Lam (California State Polytechnic U., Pomona) provides an introduction to the fundamentals of quantum theory, with emphasis on aspects of group theory and differential geometry that are relevant in modern developments of the subject, including spacetime and permutational symmetries and group representations, and geometrical phases, topological quantum numbers, and Chern-Simons Theory. The text covers the key elements and calculational techniques, as well as the history of quantum theory. Experimental aspects are not detailed. Knowledge of the fundamentals of classical mechanics and electromagnetism, introductory modern physics, and mathematical physics is assumed. Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)