Focuses on the field of solid-state physics - also referred to as condensed matter physics - which grew to maturity between 1920 and 1960. The history of some exciting developments is told here in an easy-to-follow text, accessible to general readers, while maintaining standards of high scholarship.

Michael Eckert, Helmut Schubert, & Gisela Torkar with Chritstine Blondel & Pierre Quedec: The roots of solid-state physics before quantum mechanics; Lillian Hoddesdon, Gordon Baym, & Michael Eckert: The development of the quantum mechanical electron theory of metals, 1926-1933; Paul Hoch (with contributions by Kris Szyborski): The development of the band theory of solids, 1933-1960; Jurgen Teichmann & Kris Szymborski: Point defects and ionic crystals: color centers as the key to imperfections; Ernst Braun: Mechanical properties of solids; Stephen T. Keith & Pierre Quedec: Magnetism; Ernst Braun: Selected topics from the history of semiconductor physics and its applications; Lillian Hoddesdon, Helmut Schubert, Steve J. Heims, & Gordon Baym (with a contribution by Philip W. Anderson): Collective phenomena; Spencer Weart: The solid community.

'The end-product is a massive but exciting book, covering in depth many aspects of the field, from colour centres and dislocations to band theory of solids and collective phenomena. Photographs, together with personal reminiscences, enliven the presentation.' Jacques Friedel, Physics World, September 1993

"Many miracles of modern technology . . . are based on a special understanding of the properties of materials gleaned through scientific research. This book, almost encyclopedic in its scope, focuses on the history of how this understanding was achieved through ever-deeper investigations into the properties of crystalline solids. The book is the result of extensive work carried out by 14 distinguished historians of science who lavished a combination of scholarship and devotion on the subject. As stated in the preface, the volume represents the result of probably the largest international program in the history of science carried out so far . . . . Many of the individuals who made significant contributions between the mind-1920s and 1960 were alive and could be interviewed--a feature that provides the volume with a living quality of special merit." --Physics Today "The style is brisk and entertaining and the stories of the early solid state physicists and their institutions will be of general interest. . . . all written by recognized authorities. . . . nearly 2,700 references to primary sources, and many details are reported here for the first time." --Choice "This fascinating book has arisen from an extraordinary international collaboration of historians of science. . . . undertakes a broad range of subjects. . . . thorough and entertaining treatment of the subjects covered causes the thoughtful reader to hope that this book will meet with sufficient success to encourage the authors to continue the story. . . . a wonderful achievement and the authors are to be congratulated for bringing to fruition what can only be regarded as a huge and daunting undertaking requiring intense effort. Out of the Crystal Maze provides wonderful examples of the contributions of unfettered human curiosity and creativity to the advancement of society." --Scanning "The international collaboration that marks this impressive work encouraged not only additional materials but also perspectives that might otherwise have been neglected. .. . all the authors and editors clearly deserve great credit for laying solid foundation for a history of solid state physics." --American Journal of Physics "A massive but exciting book, covering in depth many aspects of the field. Photographs, together with personal reminiscences, enliven the presentation." --Physics World ". . . a valuable start to an ambitious project and the book is likely to become an authoritative secondary source for anyone trying to follow up some aspect of the history in depth." --David Shoenberg, Nature "Clearly there is a great range of issues treated in a book which is neither 700 pages of figures . . . nor a bland chronological record of the achievements of heroic individuals. . . . stimulating. For all those interested in the physics of the 20th century, whether as historians, scientists, or both, this splendidly produced book is essential reading." --Ben Marsden, The Times Higher Education Supplement "Many miracles of modern technology . . . are based on a special understanding of the properties of materials gleaned through scientific research. This book, almost encyclopedic in its scope, focuses on the history of how this understanding was achieved through ever-deeper investigations into the properties of crystalline solids. The book is the result of extensive work carried out by 14 distinguished historians of science who lavished a combination of scholarship and devotion on the subject. As stated in the preface, the volume represents the result of probably the largest international program in the history of science carried out so far . . . . Many of the individuals who made significant contributions between the mind-1920s and 1960 were alive and could be interviewed--a feature that provides the volume with a living quality of special merit." --Physics Today "The style is brisk and entertaining and the stories of the early solid state physicists and their institutions will be of general interest. . . . all written by recognized authorities. . . . nearly 2,700 references to primary sources, and many details are reported here for the first time." --Choice "This fascinating book has arisen from an extraordinary international collaboration of historians of science. . . . undertakes a broad range of subjects. . . . thorough and entertaining treatment of the subjects covered causes the thoughtful reader to hope that this book will meet with sufficient success to encourage the authors to continue the story. . . . a wonderful achievement and the authors are to be congratulated for bringing to fruition what can only be regarded as a huge and daunting undertaking requiring intense effort. Out of the Crystal Maze provides wonderful examples of the contributions of unfettered human curiosity and creativity to the advancement of society." --Scanning "The international collaboration that marks this impressive work encouraged not only additional materials but also perspectives that might otherwise have been neglected. .. . all the authors and editors clearly deserve great credit for laying solid foundation for a history of solid state physics." --American Journal of Physics "A massive but exciting book, covering in depth many aspects of the field. Photographs, together with personal reminiscences, enliven the presentation." --Physics World ". . . a valuable start to an ambitious project and the book is likely to become an authoritative secondary source for anyone trying to follow up some aspect of the history in depth." --David Shoenberg, Nature "Clearly there is a great range of issues treated in a book which is neither 700 pages of figures . . . nor a bland chronological record of the achievements of heroic individuals. . . . stimulating. For all those interested in the physics of the 20th century, whether as historians, scientists, or both, this splendidly produced book is essential reading." --Ben Marsden, The Times Higher Education Supplement