Modeling Complex Systems (Graduate Texts in Contemporary Physics) [Hardcover]

Nino Boccara (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 18, 2003 | ISBN-10: 0387404627 | ISBN-13: 978-0387404622 | Edition: 1

This book explores the process of modeling complex systems in the widest sense of that term, drawing on examples from such diverse fields as ecology, epidemiology, sociology, seismology, as well as economics. It also provides the mathematical tools for studying the dynamics of these systems. Boccara takes a carefully inductive approach in defining what it means for a system to be "complex" (and at the same time addresses the equally elusive concept of emergent properties). This is the first text on the subject to draw comprehensive conclusions from such a wide range of analogous phenomena.

Editorial Reviews

Review

From the reviews of the first edition:

JOURNAL OF PHYSICS A: MATHEMATICAL AND GENERAL

Review by M Schreckenberg, Fachbereich Physik, Duisburg-Essen University, Germany

"This book by Nino Boccara presents a compilation of model systems commonly termed as `complex'. It starts with a definition of the systems under consideration and how to build up a model to describe the complex dynamics. The subsequent chapters are devoted to various categories of mean-field type models (differential and recurrence equations, chaos) and of agent-based models (cellular automata, networks and power-law distributions). Each chapter is supplemented by a number of exercises and their solutions. … The book is written as a textbook for interested students as well as serving as a comprehensive reference for experts. It is an ideal source for topics to be presented in a lecture on dynamics of complex systems. This is the first book on this `wide' topic and I have long awaited such a book. … In my opinion this is one of the best textbooks published during the last decade and even experts can learn a lot from it."

"Boccara has written a self-contained textbook that covers topics from basic nonlinear mathematics to agent-based models for systems with spatiotemporal emergent behavior. His book is clearly written … illustrated and full of examples and good problems. … This book is a welcome addition to the field and would make an excellent textbook for advanced undergraduates. I would also recommend it to those wanting to learn about nonlinear and complex systems. … Boccara’s book is an excellent place to start to become acquainted with complex systems." (Michael F. Shlesinger, Journal of Statistical Physics, Vol. 119 (3-4), May, 2005)

"This is an important book, of pedagogical use to a cohort of upcoming students and as an overview of the mathematical techniques currently available to the complex system manager. Your reviewer greatly enjoyed reading it and found much in it that was new and interesting and readily understandable." (Dr. D. J. Jefferies, Contemporary Physics, Vol. 46 (1), 2005)

"Boccara’s Modeling Complex Systems is full of useful knowledge … . Every chapter contains a remarkable number of examples that mix classical and up-to-date models … . The ideal audience for Boccara’s book is first- or second-year physics graduate students who have had a one-semester course in modern statistical mechanics … . Readers so prepared will find the book clear and well worth reading. Modern Complex Systems should be the standard introductory textbook to the physics of complex systems for the foreseeable future." (Cosma Shalizi, Physics Today, February, 2005)

"This nice book can serve as an introduction to modeling complex systems, but it can also be used both as a general presentation and as a reference book for anyone wanting to find in a single book on complex systems simultaneously models, modeling tools, examples, theoretical results and interesting applications. … Each chapter ends with exercises (and solutions). The book ends with a bibliography of more than 350 items, adding to its very good quality." (Jean-Paul Allouche, Zentralblatt MATH, Vol. 1072, 2005)

From the Back Cover

This book explores the process of modeling complex systems in the widest sense of that term, drawing on examples from such diverse fields as ecology, epidemiology, sociology, seismology, as well as economics. It also provides the mathematical tools for studying the dynamics of these systems. Boccara takes a carefully inductive approach in defining what it means for a system to be "complex" (and at the same time addresses the equally elusive concept of emergent properties). This is the first text on the subject to draw comprehensive conclusions from such a wide range of analogous phenomena.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 397 pages
• Publisher: Springer; 1 edition (November 18, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0387404627
• ISBN-13: 978-0387404622
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,075,923 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good comprehensive presentation of the state of the art, November 26, 2004

By 

a reader "a reader" (France) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Modeling Complex Systems (Graduate Texts in Contemporary Physics) (Hardcover)

This is a fine book to learn the state of the art in 2004 in the field of complex systems modeling. It has the right blend of useful illustrations from many types of applications and of clean mathematics, without overdoing it in terms of abstraction. It is expensive but I don't regret my purchase.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very good intructory book, April 2, 2007

By 

SILVIO FERREIRA (Brazil) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Modeling Complex Systems (Graduate Texts in Contemporary Physics) (Hardcover)

This book encloses a large variety of models in an introductory level and opens the possibility to the students to go deep in specific topics through its references. So, it is adequate for a regular course on complex systems. The mean-field part of book provides a concise, clear and complete presentation of dynamical systems. In my opinion, the agent-based chapters is well presented, but do not cover satisfactorily the criticality of epidemic spreading, a central point in complex system modeling.