Stellar models are the very basic building blocks with which we build up our knowledge of the Universe. New numerical experiments are heralding a new level of sophistication in our ability to model, and understand, how stars work. This volume provides an overview and the most recent advances in modeling of stellar structure and evolution. Modeling of stars relies on our understanding of the detailed physical processes happening in stars, and the most recent observations of stars made by modern large telescopes and current high technologies. IAU Symposium 252 presents the most recent developments in five key areas, including: improvements of the physical ingredients of stellar models; the evolution of low and intermediate mass stars; the evolution of massive stars; close binary evolution; and stellar physics in the era of very large telescopes. This overview of stellar research is at a level suitable for research astronomers and graduate students.

This History has its origin in a suggestion, made in September 1990 by former IAU General Secretary Derek McNally, who felt "that a 75 year history of the Union was needed before the col lective memory of those who knew the Union before the Second World War vanished. It would then be a preparatory volume to a centennial history in 2019. " Indeed, of those who knew the Union that long ago, few are still with us. Six years ago, at Baltimore on August 2, 1988, listening and reminiscing at the Inaugural Ceremonies of the Union's 20th General Assembly, I realized that it was almost exactly half a century ago that, at the age of 24, I attended the Inaugurations at my "first" Assembly: on August 3, 1938 in Stockholm. Now, in 1994, this is almost 56 years ago, three quarters of the Union's age. Only vague recollections - no better than that -lead me back to this event, just before World War II. And so, this is not a history based on recollection, far from it. Recollection was helpful in that it allowed me, better perhaps than a younger author, to appreciate circumstances under which the letters and reports which form the basis for this History were written. The account is largely based on archival documents, collected from a wide variety of sources.

Comprehensive and up-to-date synthesis of all aspects of mantle convection, for advanced students and researchers.