This is a most important review volume providing a summary of black hole physics in the last 25 years. It contains a series of lectures presented to celebrate John Archibald Wheeler's invention of the term “black hole” a quarter of a century ago. In 11 lucid articles, a distinguished group of world experts discuss current issues in black hole physics, ranging from epistemological considerations to recent developments connecting black hole thermodynamics and string theory.

This is a most important review volume providing a summary of black hole physics in the last 25 years. It contains a series of lectures presented to celebrate John Archibald Wheeler's invention of the term “black hole” a quarter of a century ago. In 11 lucid articles, a distinguished group of world experts discuss current issues in black hole physics, ranging from epistemological considerations to recent developments connecting black hole thermodynamics and string theory.