The second edition of this successful textbook provides an up-to-date account of the optical physics of solids. All of the chapters have been updated and improved, and new sections on optical control of spin, quantum dots, plasmonics, negative refraction, carbon nanostructures and diamond NV centres have been added. This excellent book answers the questions of why and how the optical properties of solids differ from those of atoms. It is addressed to senior undergraduates, graduate students and researchers. The balance of physical explanation and mathematical description is very good. The text is supplemented by critical notes in the margins and integrated with self-explanatory figures. Several factors make this an excellent textbook. The problems with solutions augment the pedagogical value of the book, as do the chapter summaries, the further reading at the end of each chapter, the extensive and comprehensive appendices, the biography, the list of symbols and the index.