In this third volume of The Quantum Theory of Fields, available for the first time in paperback, Nobel Laureate Steven Weinberg continues his masterly exposition of quantum field theory. This volume presents a self-contained, up-to-date and comprehensive introduction to supersymmetry, a highly active area of theoretical physics. The text introduces and explains a broad range of topics, including supersymmetric algebras, supersymmetric field theories, extended supersymmetry, supergraphs, non-perturbative results, theories of supersymmetry in higher dimensions, and supergravity. A thorough review is given of the phenomenological implications of supersymmetry, including theories of both gauge and gravitationally-mediated supersymmetry breaking. Also provided is an introduction to mathematical techniques, based on holomorphy and duality, that have proved so fruitful in recent developments. This book contains much material not found in other books on supersymmetry, including previously unpublished results. Exercises are included.

‘ … has produced a treatise that many of us had long awaited, perhaps without fully realizing it … with the publication of The Quantum Theory of Fields, Vol. 3, has performed an analogous service for supersymmetry … Although this volume is the third in a trilogy, it is quite different from its two predecessors, and it stands on its own … May a new generation of students imbibe its content and spirit.’

Source: Physics Today

‘Weinberg is of course one of the creators of modern quantum field theory, as well as of its physical culmination, the standard model of all (nongravitational) interactions. It is … very timely that this latest part of his monograph, devoted to supersymmetry and supergravity, has just appeared. As a text, it has been pretested by Weinberg for a freestanding one-year graduate course; as a clear organizing reference to this extremely vast field, it will help the experts as well … Weinberg’s style of presentation is as clear and meticulous as in his previous works.’

Stanley Deser Source: Journal of General Relativity and Gravitation

‘The third volume of The Quantum Theory of Fields is a self-contained introduction to the world of supersymmetry and supergravity. It will be useful both for experienced researchers in the field and for students who want to take the first steps towards learning about supersymmetry. Unlike other books in this field, it covers the wide spectrum of possible applications of supersymmetry in physics.’

Hans Peter Nilles Source: Nature

‘Weinberg tries to be as elementary and clear as possible and steers clear of more sophisticated mathematical tools. Together with the previous volumes, this volume will serve as an invaluable reference to researchers and a textbook for graduate students.’

G. Roepstorff Source: Zentralblatt MATH

From reviews of the previous two volumes:‘For over twenty years there has been no good modern textbook on the subject. For all that time, Steven Weinberg has been promising to write one. That he has finally done it … is cause for celebration among those who try to teach and try to learn the subject. Weinberg’s book is for serious students of field theory ... it is the first textbook to treat quantum field theory the way it is used by physicists today.’

Howard Georgi Source: Science

‘ … beautifully produced and meticulously edited … and it is a real bargain in price. If you want to learn quantum field theory, or have already learned it and want to have a definitive reference at hand, purchase this book.’

O. W. Greenberg Source: Physics Today

‘To sum up, this book strengthens the impression that Weinberg has produced a masterpiece that will be a standard reference on the field for a long time to come.’

B. E. Svensson Source: Elementa

‘Weinberg’s volume will be popular with postgraduate workers in theoretical physics and a standard reference for experienced researchers. If some of the supersymmetric partners of the quarks, leptons and gauge bosons are discovered at the Large Hadron Collider at Cern or at another particle accelerator, then this book will be found not on the shelves but on the desks of particle physicists.’

Chris Sachrajda Source: The Times Higher Education Supplement

‘It is a majestic exposition … I find it hard to imagine a better treatment of quantum field theory than Weinberg’s.’

John C. Taylor Source: Nature

‘Experienced researchers and beginning graduate students will delight in the gems of wisdom to be found in these pages ... I have no doubt that these two volumes will rapidly constitute the classic treatment of this important subject.’

M. B. Green Source: CERN Courier