More than two centuries have elapsed since the story of the interacting binary stars began with the rediscovery of the variability of Algol by John Goodricke and the interpretation he proposed for explaining the regular periodic brightness variations which he found. Over this long span of time our knowledge about these systems has been growing, and we have now reached a fairly good understanding of the structure and behavior of this interesting group of objects. This book contains a timely summary of our present knowledge of interacting binary stars. The chapters have been written by distinguished scientists who have done relevant research in the field of interacting binary stars.

The Development of the Idea of Interacting Double Stars.- The Interacting Binary Zoo.- Mass Loss in Interacting Binary Systems.- Some Issues in the Theory of Mass Transfer.- The Algol-Type Interacting Binaries.- Magnetic Activity in Close Binaries.- Contact Binaries of the W Uma Type.- Accretion Disks in Close Binaries.- Magnetic Cataclysmic Variables.- Symbiotic Stars.- Theory and Observations of Classical Novae in Outburst.- Interacting Binaries and Type I Supernovae.- Binary Systems with Compact Components.- TeV Radiation from Binary Stars.- ? Aurigae Atmospheric Eclipsing Binaries.- Polarized Radiation from Close Binaries.- Radio Emission from Active Late-Type Binaries.- Formation of Binary Stars.- The Evolution of Interacting Binary Systems: Observational Aspects.- Pending Problems and Final Comments.- References.