"...the appearance of this wonderful text, which gives an extensive, detailed and pretty well complete account of this whole area up to the present day, is very welcome. As is expected of these authors, the treatment is impressively well-informed, wide-ranging and convincing in its treatment of all aspects of the subject. The mathematics is presented elegantly and efficiently, helpful motivation is put in place in a perfectly judged manner, striking and informative asides are mentioned throughout, and the wealth of background and general culture carried by the many and varied exercises invaluable. ...A huge amount of material scattered throughout the classical and mroe up-to-date literature has been brought together in detailed, coherent and thoroughly worked-through form." - Liam O'Carroll, Mathematical Reviews Clippings