Seven years ago, Cambridge University Press began a new series of books called Handbooks. I was fortunate enough to be asked to author the one on CCDs. Little did I realize how wonderful of an undertaking that writing this book would be. I have learned and relearned a number of details about CCDs and had cause to read many scientific and popular papers and articles I otherwise would have overlooked. The greatest benefit, however, has been the many gracious colleagues and students who have provided comments, revisions, suggestions, support, and simply said thanks. The first edition of the Handbook of CCD Astronomy was written for you and you have truly made it your own through this volume.

When I was first asked to write a second edition, I have to admit I was skeptical that enough had changed to warrant it. I am happy to say I was completely wrong. Upon going back and reading the original volume, I had no problem seeing its many pages of outdated material. There are, however, some fundamental discussions and properties of CCDs that are timeless, and remain in the present volume. New areas of CCD development abound and to highlight a few this second edition is a bit longer and has a few more illustrations. The areas of faster and higher performance electronics to control and read out a CCD, better analog-to-digital circuitry, and better manufactured CCDs are some of the additions discussed within.