The theory of water waves has been a source of intriguing and often difficult mathematical problems for at least 150 years. Virtually every classical mathematical technique appears somewhere within its confines. Beginning with the introduction of the appropriate equations of fluid mechanics, the opening chapters of this text consider the classical problems in linear and non-linear water-wave theory. This sets the ground for a study of more modern aspects, problems that give rise to soliton-type equations. The book closes with an introduction to the effects of viscosity. All the mathematical developments are presented in the most straightforward manner, with worked examples and simple cases carefully explained. Exercises, further reading, and historical notes on some of the important characters in the field round off the book and help to make this an ideal text for a beginning graduate course on water waves.

‘ … an excellent textbook for graduate or advanced undergraduate courses’.

Source: Nonlinear News

‘ … the book would amke an excellent textbook for graduate or advanced undergraduate courses’.

J. D. Gibbon Source: UK Nonlinear Science News

‘This is an excellent textbook suitable to the last-year undergraduate students in applied mathematics, physics, or engineering, as well as to the first-year graduate students in similar areas.’

Source: Zietschrift fur Angwandte Mathematik und Physik

‘The book is a valuable source of information on the mathematic theory of water gravity waves and I am very pleased to have it on my shelf. I would recommend it to anyone who deals or is going to deal with this subject, but first for all to mathematically inclined readers.’

M. Markiewicz Source: ZAMM

‘ … the publication of this book will be welcomed by researchers and postgraduate students in water-wave theory.’

C. M. Linton Source: Contemporary Physics

‘This is a well-written book that is a pleasure to read.’

T. R. Akylas Source: European Journal of Mechanics