Algebraic methods in statistical mechanics and quantum field theory : by G. G. Emch. Diagrams, 6 x 9 in. New York,John Wiley & Sons, 1972. Price, $19.95 (approx. £7·50).

The Very Large Array (VLA) radio telescope which is presently under construction in central New Mexico is considered the highest priority new astronomical facility in the U.S.A. during the next decade. The instrument will consist of 27 separate parabolic antennas each of which will be movable along the arms of a Y-configuration. The technique of earth-rotation aperture synthesis will allow an aperture of 25 miles dia. to be synthesized. When the VLA is completed in 1981 it will be better than any other radio telescope, by one or two orders of magnitude, in terms of resolution, sensitivity and speed.