The distribution of elements in the cosmos, a result of the many processes in the Universe's history, provides a means for studying the Big Bang, the density of baryonic matter, nucleosynthesis, and the formation and evolution of stars and galaxies. This textbook, by a pioneer in the field, forms a lucid, comprehensive introduction to the interdisciplinary subject of galactic chemical evolution. The author carefully explains a broad spectrum of exciting astrophysics, from thermonuclear reactions, abundance measurements in astronomical sources, cosmological element production, stellar evolution and nucleosynthesis, to light element production by cosmic rays and the effects of galactic processes on the evolution of the elements. The reader is then equipped to develop an intuitive and analytical understanding of results from numerical models and real observations. Simple, elegant derivations for key results are provided throughout, together with problems and helpful solution hints. This long-awaited textbook provides a comprehensive introduction to the broad subject of galactic chemical evolution for advanced undergraduate and graduate students, and an invaluable overview for researchers. "This book fills a gap in astrophysical literature...certainly helpful for any instructor who wishes to teach a one-semester course on these subjects, especially because the author has included many end-chapter problems with hints for their solutions. The author has also added many valuable comments at the end of the chapters that are helpful for researchers in the field...a conceptually very successful and useful book." Mounib El Eid, Transport in Porous Media "Each topic is explained from the ground up, giving the reader all the information needed to proceed further. The book manages to present(without losing scientific rigour) one of the most fascinating subjects of modern astrophysics." Nature "This is a good and useful book...The astrophysicist will find the astronomical lore enlightening, and the astronomer will find references to discussions of the underlying physics." Physics Today "Intended for upper-division undergraduates, graduates, and faculty in the physical sciences, this work will be useful to professionals who need to learn or review the current thinking in nucleosynthesis. Good index; very good bibliography." CHOICE "Each topic is explained from the ground up, giving the reader all the information needed to proceed further. The book manages to present(without losing scientific rigour) one of the most fascinating subjects of modern astrophysics." Cesare Chiosi, Nature vol.393 A lucid, wide-ranging graduate textbook on the topical subject of galactic chemical evolution - by a pioneer of the field. Used Book in Good Condition