Quantum field theory which started with Paul Dirac's work shortly after the discovery of
quantum mechanics has produced an impressive and important array of results. Quantum
electrodynamics with its extremely accurate and well-tested predictions and the standard
model of electroweak and chromodynamic (nuclear) forces are examples of successful theories.
Field theory has also been applied to a variety of phenomena in condensed matter physics
including superconductivity superfluidity and the quantum Hall effect. The concept of the
renormalization group has given us a new perspective on field theory in general and on critical
phenomena in particular. At this stage a strong case can be made that quantum field theory is
the mathematical and intellectual framework for describing and understanding all physical
phenomena except possibly for a quantum theory of gravity. Quantum Field Theory: A Modern
Perspective presents Professor Nair's view of certain topics in field theory loosely knit
together as it grew out of courses on field theory and particle physics taught at Columbia
University and the City College of CUNY. The first few chapters up to Chapter 12 contain
material that generally goes into any course on quantum field theory although there are a few
nuances of presentation which readers may find to be different from other books. This first
part of the book can be used for a general course on field theory omitting perhaps the last
three sections in Chapter 3 the last two in Chapter 8 and sections 6 and 7 in Chapter 10. The
remaining chapters cover some of the more modern developments over the last three decades
involving topological and geometrical features. The introduction given to the mathematical
basis of this part of the discussion is necessarily brief and should be accompanied by books on
the relevant mathematical topics as indicated in the bibliography. Professor Nair also
concentrates on developments pertinent to abetter understanding of the standard model. There is
no discussion of supersymmetry supergravity developments in field theory inspired by string
theory etc. There is also no detailed discussion of the renormalization group. Each of these
topics would require a book in its own right to do justice to the topic. Quantum Field Theory:
A Modern Perspective serves as a portal to so many more topics of detailed and ongoing research
referring readers to more detailed treatments for many specific topics. The book also contains
extensive references providing readers a more comprehensive perspective on the literature and
the historical development of the subject. V. Parameswaran Nair is Professor of Physics at City
College of The City University of New York (CUNY). Professor Nair has held Visiting
Professorships at The Abdus Salam International Center for Theoretical Physics Rockefeller
University Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton and Massachusetts Institute of
Technology.
