Abstract :
This is an exceptional book. In fact, it is more than that???it is 1000 pages of printed matter supplemented by an extensive collection of electronic materials that include images, Matlab code, interactive examples, instructor assistance and other resources, all held on a dedicated home page at the University of Michigan. Although its principal impact derives from the combination of the printed and electronic matter, the book can stand alone if necessary, particularly for the practitioner. But for the student the electronic material is essential and multiplies the value of the book severalfold. This is because some of the problems set at the end of each chapter use the electronic resources very effectively. These exercises add substantially to the utility of the book as a senior level text, especially since solutions are available on the home page for the instructor. It is hard to overstate the value added by the material on the home page; but it is essential that it be maintained over the life of the book. The publication effectively blends a textbook with a reference manual, and a treatment for the systems designer designer with a course for the remote sensing applications specialist. Its coverage is broad and deep; its completeness means that the reader has little need to consult other books for introductory or supplementary material. Nevertheless adequate referencing is provided to more detailed treatments when relevant. The lead and contributing authors are the authorities in imaging radar and radiometry.
