In the Preface, Chen writes "It has been 30 years since the Second Edition. Plasma physics has grown so much that the temptation is to include all that's new, but I haven't done that. This is a book for those learning plasma physics for the first time and could care less about the fine points."

As to be expected, Chen succeeds admirably at his goal. He treats plasmas in nature, single particle motions, plasmas as fluids, waves in plasmas, diffusion and resistivity, equilibrium and stability, kinetic theory and non-linear effects. He has added chapters on Special Plasmas (non-neutral, dusty plasmas, plasmas in space, etc.) and on Plasma Applications.

This book should be in the hands of every student and on the book shelves of all seasoned researchers.