Book excerpt: This updated classic text will aid readers in understanding much of the current literature on order statistics: a flourishing field of study that is essential for any practising statistician and a vital part of the training for students in statistics. Written in a simple style that requires no advanced mathematical or statistical background, the book introduces the general theory of order statistics and their applications. The book covers topics such as distribution theory for order statistics from continuous and discrete populations, moment relations, bounds and approximations, order statistics in statistical inference and characterisation results, and basic asymptotic theory. There is also a short introduction to record values and related statistics. The authors have updated the text with suggestions for further reading that may be used for self-study. Written for advanced undergraduate and graduate students in statistics and mathematics, practising statisticians, engineers, climatologists, economists, and biologists.