This book is a compilation of the review papers, expositions and some of the technical works of Leo Kadanoff, a theoretical physicist. The objective is to put together a group of not-too-technical writing in which he discusses some issues in condensed matter physics, hydro-dynamics, applied mathematics and national policy.

This expanded edition is divided into five sections. The first section contains review papers on hydrodynamics, condensed matter physics and field theory. Next is a selection of papers on scaling and universality, particularly as applied to phase changes. A change of pace is provided by a series of papers on the critical analysis of simulation models of urban economic and social development. The book concludes with a series of recent papers on complex patterns. Each major section has an introduction designed to tie the work together and to provide perspective on the subject matter.