Non-Equilibrium Thermodynamics

Rating:
Summary: A classic reference text
Review: Not meant as a modern textbook, but highly useful for anyone who's already somewhat familiar with N.E.T. This book has a certain historical value, and it is rather obligatory for people who work with N.E.T. and/or are highly interested in it. Mathematically, it is quite rigorous. Knowledge of fluid dynamics, tensor calculus and other rather advanced mathematical concepts is definitely helpful, but not outright necessary.

You will find the title of this book in many 'further reading' lists. That alone is proof enough that this is a book worth having.

Rating:
Summary: Solid, comprehensive
Review: Systematic and comprehensive introduction to linear non-equilibrium thermodynamics. After an extensive description of the fundamentals, a variety of examples is given. As the authors indicate in their preface, the book only deals with linear NET, which means that the more exciting modern examples of non-linear NET are not covered. This does not mean, however, that this book would be obsolete; a lot of physics happens to be linear, and the classics of linear NET (Wiener-Khinchine, Onsager) are certainly worth studying. I would even say, that linear NET should first be appreciated before venturing in the more modern aspect of non-linear NET.