Amit (physics, University of Rome, Italy) and Martín-Mayor (physical sciences, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain) link methods and concepts in critical phenomena and statistical mechanics with methods in field theory and concepts from particle physics. Rigor and lengthy proofs are trimmed by using the phenomenological framework of graphs, power counting, and emphasis on renormalization group techniques. The book introduces quantum field theory to those already grounded in concepts of statistical mechanics and advanced quantum theory. With chapter exercises, the book can be used as a text for a one-semester graduate course. This third edition introduces non-perturbative methods and numerical simulations. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)