This volume is concerned with crystallization kinetics and mechanisms and serves a crucial role in understanding the actual crystalline state that develops in polymers under real conditions. Attention is focused on the nonequilibrium aspects of the crystalline state that actually forms. It serves as a bridge to Volume 3 and the discussion of morphology, structure and properties. As the reader will find, there are still some important problems in this area that are in need of resolution. In discussing these, the author has tried to be as objective as possible and has presented the diverse viewpoints. Professor R. G. Alamo and Dr. F. C. Stehling read portions of the manuscript and offered constructive criticisms. However, the contents of the volume are the sole responsibility of the author.

It is a pleasure once again to acknowledge a great debt to Mrs. Annette Franklin for her expert typing of the manuscript and preparing it in final format. The author also acknowledges the contribution of Dr. James A. Haigh for the original calculations that appear throughout the book. Most of the illustrations in final form are due to the efforts of Dick Roche and Steve Leukanech. Their contributions are gratefully acknowledged.

The permission granted by American Chemical Society, Anales de Quimica, Chemical Reviews, Colloid and Polymer Science, Deutsche Bunsen-Gesellschaft für Physikalische Chemie, Elsevier, Industrial and Engineering Chemistry, Journal of Applied Physics, Journal of Chemical Physics, Journal of Macromolecular Science, Journal of Material Science, Journal of Physical Chemistry, Journal of Polymer Science, Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry, Macromolecules, Materials Research Society, Polymer, Polymer Engineering and Science, Polymer Journal, Physical Review Letters, Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, Royal Society of Chemistry, and Springer-Verlag to reproduce material appearing in their publications is gratefully acknowledged.