Overview
The computer age has spawned a whole new discipline of Computational Physics, a branch of physics known for its dynamic nature as opposed to the more traditional branches of experimental and theoretical physics. Within the field, the topic that has "inflated" the most with the rise of the computer is that of Stochastic Simulation, more colourfully known by its distinguished proponents, Fermi, von Neumann, Metropolis, Ulam and others such as the Monte Carlo method. Kevin MacKeown's book, the ideas of which had evolved from 15 years of teaching a final year undergraduate course on Computational Physics, serves to summarise in one volume the past and latest developments of the stochastic phenomena in the context of physics. The "teaching" approach follows a less conventional one in that there is no canon to be followed in the field. Instead, the topics are chosen to give a feeling for the breadth of applications of Monte Carlo methods in physics. Substantial references to research literature are also provided. This book is an essential reference to students wishing to gain a more technical interest in the subject as a way of getting quatitative answers to a problem. The level of knowledge of physics assumed corresponds to a that of a final year undergraduate student, but postgraduate students in a number of disciplines should also find the material of value.