Mesterton-Gibbons (Florida State U.) introduces both the classical theory of the calculus of variations and the more modern developments of optimal control theory from the perspective of an applied mathematician. The book can be used as a text for an advanced undergraduate or beginning graduate course, or for self-study. Students are assumed to have digested the standard calculus sequence and a first course on ordinary differential equations, and to have some facility with the sort of mathematical software that such courses generally require now. His goal is to provide a foundation for more advanced courses. The 24 lectures explain such aspects as the insufficiency of extremality, the corner conditions, isoperimetrical problems, time-optimal control, and a biological control problem. Hints or solutions for selected exercises are provided. Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)