"The book in your hands develops the best traditions of the Russian scientific popular literature. Written in a clear and captivating manner by working theoretical physicists, who are, at the same time, dedicated popularizers of scientific knowledge, it brings to the reader the latest achievements in quantum solid-state physics, but along the way it also shows how the laws of physics reveal themselves even in seemingly trivial episodes concerning the natural phenomena around us. And most importantly, it shows that we live in the world, where scientists are capable of "proving harmony with algebra." — A A Abrikosov, 2003 Nobel Prize Winner in Physics

"This ability to understand many different things using very few fundamental principles and a rational reasoning lies in the heart of physics, great science about fundamental laws of Nature. Very few authors are able to speak about these fundamentals to the laymen. The authors of this book can. Read the book and enjoy it."
--Prof. D E Khmelnitskii
Cavendish Laboratory, Cambridge, UK


"This is an informal, charming, and idiosyncratic book with a strongly personal choice of topics. Overall, a well-written, engaging text covering both nonstandard and appropriate subjects."
--CHOICE