Unlike most other texts on the subject, this clear, concise introduction to the theory of microscopic bodies treats the modern theory of critical phenomena. Provides up-to-date coverage of recent major advances, including a self-contained description of thermodynamics and the classical kinetic theory of gases, interesting applications such as superfluids and the quantum Hall effect, several current research applications, The last three chapters are devoted to the Landau-Wilson approach to critical phenomena. Many new problems and illustrations have been added to this edition.

这是一本具有李政道特色的统计力学专著。它凝聚了李先生在统计力学方面的治学结晶，自成体系。虽只有短短的四章，却几乎概括了统计力学的所有精髓。读者可以使用本书作为学习统计力学的入门教材，也可以在使用别的教材时用它作为学习的参考和补充材料。李政道先生治学严谨，一切推导都从最基本假定出发的研究风格，在本书中得到充分的体现。