X-ray astronomy is the prime available window on astrophysical compact objects: black holes, neutron stars and white dwarfs. New observational opportunities have led to an explosion of knowledge in this field. This book provides a comprehensive overview of the astrophysics of compact objects that emit X-rays. Sixteen chapters written by the foremost experts in the field cover the observations and the astrophysical interpretation of these objects. Topics covered include binary systems, gamma ray burst sources, anomalous X-ray pulsars, super-soft sources, and enigmatic fast X-ray transients. Further chapters are dedicated to isolated neutron stars and the X-ray source populations of globular clusters. The properties of X-ray binaries are discussed in depth in chapters on quasi-periodic oscillations and related aperiodic X-ray variability, X-ray bursts, black holes, and relativistic jets. This is a valuable reference for both graduate students and active researchers.

Review of the hardback:From reviews of X-ray Binaries, edited by Walter H. G. Lewin, Jan van Paradijs and Edward P. J. van den Heuvel:‘… packed with information, and so beautifully presented by CUP … a must for your bookshelf and every astronomical library. I have already made this book required reading for my graduate students.’

Phil Charles Source: The Observatory

Review of the hardback:‘… a very good, detailed and comprehensive written review on X-ray binaries.’

Source: Reviews of Astronomical Tools

Review of the hardback:'… the topics are well chosen and fairly distinct, providing an extremely useful summary of current research … If the space agencies are wondering why they shoud be planning now to replace XMM-Newton, Chandra, and RXTE, they should read this book. … a good buy for libraries and essential background reading for students and their supervisors.'

Source: The Observatory