In 1970 when I first seriously contemplated writing a book on electron spectroscopy, I recognized the impossibility of completely reaching my desired goals. First, the field was expanding (and still is) at such a rate that a definitive statement of the subject is not possible. The act of following the literature comprehensively and summarizing its essential content proved to be a diver gent series. On the other hand, the field has increased to such a size that violent changes in its basic makeup no longer occur with the frequency that was present in its early days. Furthermore, the excitement of electron spectro scopy lies in its many-faceted interrelationships. In the era of specialization, electron spectroscopy is an open-ended subject continually bringing together new aspects of science. I wished to discuss not just one type of electron spectro scopy, but as many as would be possible. The book as it stands concentrates its attention on x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, but also presents the basis of Auger electron spectroscopy and uv photoelectron spectroscopy, as well as mentioning many of the other branches of the field. A large, many-author volume might be an answer to some of these problems. However, though anyone person possesses only a limited amount of expertise, I have always enjoyed books by a single author since what they lack in detailed knowledge they gain in a unified viewpoint. I hope the final product, though limited in its attainment of these goals, will still be of some merit.
