This revised second edition invites the reader to explore ten of the most important areas of modern physics: symmetry, lasers, superconductivity, Bose-Einstein condensation, nanoscience, quantum computation, chaos and fractals, stellar evolution, particles and cosmology. The authors give an up-to-date account of the exciting advances in these fast-moving fields. Their emphasis is as much on describing natural phenomena as on attempting to explain them in terms of basic principles, replacing equations with physical insight. General readers and university undergraduates alike should find this book a useful guide to the worlds of modern physics, while the mature scientist will get an insightful survey of neighbouring fields of research. For the teacher who takes a thematic approach to teaching physics, this book should be a complete source of current topics at the frontiers of research; and for the student, a valuable tool of study, made even more useful by numerous pertinent problems (with complete solutions) and references found at the end of each chapter.