Bifurcation and chaos has dominated research in nonlinear dynamics for over two decades, and numerous introductory and advanced books have been published on this subject. There remains, however, a dire need for a textbook which provides a pedagogically appealing yet rigorous mathematical bridge between these two disparate levels of exposition. This book has been written to serve that unfulfilled need.

Following the footsteps of Poincare, and the renowned Andronov school of nonlinear oscillations, this book focuses on the qualitative study of high-dimensional nonlinear dynamical systems. Many of the qualitative methods and tools presented in the book have been developed only recently and have not yet appeared in textbook form.

In keeping with the self-contained nature of the book, all the topics are developed with introductory background and complete mathematical rigor. Generously illustrated and written at a high level of exposition, this invaluable book will appeal to both the beginner and the advanced student of nonlinear dynamics interested in learning a rigorous mathematical foundation of this fascinating subject.