Generalities.- QCD as a Field Theory.- Renormalization in QCD: Asymptotic Freedom. Operator Expansions.- Perturbative QCD I. Deep Inelastic Processes.- Perturbative QCD II. OZI Forbidden Decays; Drell-Yan Processes; Jets; SVZ Sum Rules; Exclusive Processes and so on..- Hadrons as Bound States of Quarks.- Light Quarks; PCAC; Chiral Dynamics; the QCD Vacuum.- Instantons.- Lattice QCD.- The Perturbative QCD Series. The Parameters of QCD. Condensates.

First published in 1983, this book has become a classic among advanced textbooks. The new fourth edition maintains the high standard of its predecessors. The book offers basic knowledge of field theory and particle phenomenology. The author presents the basic facts of quark and gluon physics in pedagogical form. Explanations of theory are supported throughout with experimental findings. The text provides readers with sufficient understanding to follow modern research articles. This fourth edition presents a new section on heavy quark effective theories, more material on lattice QCD and on chiral perturbation theory.