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.