This is a first undergraduate textbook in Solid State Physics or Condensed Matter Physics. While most textbooks on the subject are extremely dry, this book is written to be much more exciting, inspiring, and entertaining. The author, Steven Simon, is well known as an insightful scientist and an engaging and witty speaker, and it is a pleasure to see how well his talents translate to the printed page. He has re-examined with a modern eye the question of which topics should be covered in a student's first exposure to the physics of solids. My impression is that his presentation of those topics will be accessible for the student, illuminating for the expert, and entertaining for all.