Modern Thermodynamics: From Heat Engines to Dissipative Structures
Here, at long last, is a thermodynamics book, suitable for both undergraduates and graduates, that integrates recently developed understanding of far-from-equilibrium systems into a rigorous and coherent presentation of the foundation of the science. In Modern Thermodynamics, Dilip Kondepudi and Ilya Prigogine give a solid treatment of the first and the second laws and entropy - with abundant historical material.  Then they turn to concise treatment of the standard topics of equilibrium thermodynamics. Adding ample worked illustrations and problems.  A third, shorter section covers fluctuations and stability, including the Gibbs stability theory, critical phenomena  and entropy production before getting to the heart of the subject: linear non-equilibrium thermodynamics.  Here, they include the Onsager reciprocal relationships and the stability of non-equilibrium steady states. .... Anyone interested in helping students (and active researchers) prepare for dealing with main themes of contemporary chemistry and biology should consider this book carefully. --The New Scientist, 3 October, 1998Kondepudi and Prigogine's book will be a revelation for chemists schooled in the Lewis and Randall thermodynamics approach.  The authors provide new insights into even basic thermodynamic concepts from the view of the Belgian school.  Prigogine received a Nobel prize for his work in nonequilibrium thermodynamics, and the last two parts of the book are based on this necessary part of modern chemical education.  The first 14 chapters cover traditional thermodynamics in an unconventional and insightful way.  The last two parts are available for use in more advanced courses than a first reading of the subject.  Further, the book as a whole presents a rarely accomplished view of both equilibrium and non-equilibrium thermodynamics.  A number of problems are included, and the reader is encouraged to solve some of them using Mthematica and/or other computer packages.  The authors acknowledge the existence of real data and other information on the Web and encourage the reader to access these sources via Internet addresses provided.  A fresh presentation of thermodynamics, which underscores this science as one of irreversible processes.  Upper-division undergraduates through professionals. --CHOICE, April, 1999The authors of this book have identified a gap in the range of textbooks currently available, and have filled it, efficiently and admirably. .... Lecturers in physics, chemistry and engineering will find this text invaluable for their undergraduate courses, and postgraduates in the area of thermodynamics will find it essential reading. ...I wish I had this book, instead of my rather dry undergraduate physics text, and a rather narrow postgraduate astrophysics text. --High Temperatures - High Pressures, Vol. 30, No. 6, 1998