'Occasionally, a book is written which stands alone in its field, one that is lucid in style with a breadth of topics to enthuse the student whilst, at the same time, containing enough depth to be invaluable to the expert. Volker Schmidt's Electron Spectroscopy of Atoms using Synchronotron Radiation is such a book … In summary, Electron Spectroscopy of Atoms using Synchrotron Radiation provides a useful and useable handbook for researchers in the filed of atomic physics and beyond - many of the techniques discussed may be equally applied to the study of molecules or indeed surfaces. It furnishes the basis for advanced undergraduate study, whilst providing sufficient depth and embodying a wealth of experience to satisfy the specialist. I am sure that in the future, there will be few research groups using electron spectroscopy or synchrotron radiation that do not possess a well-thumbed copy of this book.' P. A. Hatherly, Contemporary Physics