Many excellent volumes have been written on the chemistry of cellulose
and its derivatives. Judging by the number of conferences which have
been assembled to deal with the topic, cellulose and its derivatives
continue to arouse great scientific interest. Matching this interest has
been the development in copolymer science and technology. In both
instances the driving force has been the search for products having
useful, new or interesting properties. It appeared inevitable that these
two concepts would be brought together at some time in the research and
development of cellulosic copolymers. That time has arrived. In
assembling this text our aim was to present an informative account of
the chemistry and technology of cellulosic copolymers. As such, we
intended that the contents be of interest to all those concerned with
the production and use of cellulosic products whether in academic or
industrial circles. Sections of the text should be of value in
undergraduate and post-graduate teaching, provided the student is given
guidance in following the text. The volume is divided into eight
chapters, each dealing with factors which are relevant to an under-
standing of cellulosic copolymers. Each chapter carries its own
bibliography and is reasonably self-contained.