The bookModeling Reality covers a wide range of fascinating subjects, accessible to anyone who wants to learn about the use of computer modeling to solve a diverse range of problems, but who does not possess a specialized training in mathematics or computer science. The material presented is

pitched at the level of high-school graduates, even though it covers some advanced topics (cellular automata, Shannon's measure of information, deterministic chaos, fractals, game theory, neural networks, genetic algorithms, and Turing machines). These advanced topics are explained in terms of well

known simple concepts: Cellular automata - Game of Life, Shannon's formula - Game of twenty questions, Game theory - Television quiz, etc. The book is unique in explaining in a straightforward, yet complete, fashion many important ideas, related to various models of reality and their applications.

Twenty-five programs, written especially for this book, are provided on an accompanying CD. They greatly enhance its pedagogical value and make learning of even the more complex topics an enjoyable pleasure.

Iwo Bialynicki-Birula, Center for Theoretical Physics, University of Warsaw, Poland Warsaw University PhD in Theoretical Physics 1959 University of Rochester, Research Associate 1959-1961 University of Pittsburgh, Visiting Professor 1969-1971, 1985-1986 University of Frankfurt, Visiting Scholar 1992-1993 University of Ulm, Alexander von Humboldt Award Recipient 1994-1995 Iwona Bialynicka-Birula, Galileo Galilei School, University of Pisa, Italy MS in Computer Science from Warsaw University 2003