This graduate textbook explains the mechanisms of step-growth, chain-growth, and emulsion polymerization, and addresses engineering problems related to manufacturing, characterization, and the behavior of polymers. Originally published as Fundamentals of polymers in 1997 by McGraw-Hill, the second edition adds short sections on nanocomposites, creep in glassy polymers, and twin-screw extrusion. Annotation (c) Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)