Introduction to Hydrodynamic Stability

1. General introduction; 2. Introduction to steady flows, their instability and bifurcations; 3. Kelvin-Helmholtz instability; 4. Capillary instability of a jet; 5. Development of instabilities in time and space; 6. Rayleigh-Benard convection; 7. Centrifugal instability; 8. Stability of parallel flows; 9. Routes to chaos and turbulence; 10. Case studies in transition to turbulence; References; Index.

'There is not much to say about this book - if you want to know about hydrodynamic stability, get it, pen and paper, maybe a computer, and start working through it. There is no better way ... Anyone who has worked conscientiously through this book will have no trouble moving on to research in this topic.' The Mathematical Gazette 'Drazin's book is an excellent first introduction to this subject ... and a very useful book has been produced that will be of interest to engineers, physicists and mathematicians starting research in fluid mechanics for many years to come.' The Journal of Fluid Mechanics '... introduces prospective students into its subject at a graduate level. Without either undue oversimplification or oversophistication the author manages to present the fundamentals of hydrodynamic stability in a very lucid way.' Monatshefte fur Mathematik 'Without either undue oversimplification or over-sophistication the author manages to present the fundamentals of hydrodynamic stability in a very lucid way. The exercises constitute a part of particular value. With their many comments and further thoughts they amount to much more than just to exercises in the plain meaning of the word.' Internationale Mathematische Nachrichten