The book is well written and organized. The authors’ enthusiasm and dedication to the subject matter are clearly evident. I find the book to be not only an excellent introduction to structural characterization, but also a valuable introduction to the world of the working crystallographer. The text is rich in references to internet resources, software, literature, organizations, databases, and institutions that x-ray researchers employ routinely.

As a class text the book could be used in an introductory course for third or fourth year undergraduates in materials science, chemistry, physics, or geochemistry. The detailed structural treatments may be too much for the typical introductory x-ray diffraction course, but students would be adding a valuable text for future reference to their libraries. The sections are also ideal for more advanced coursework at the graduate level. Beyond the classroom, any researcher desiring structural information on materials would benefit from this book.

Materials Today, July/August 2004