Book excerpt: With a growing range of applications in fields from computer science to chemistry and communications networks, graph theory has enjoyed a rapid increase of interest and widespread recognition as an important area of mathematics. Through more than 20 years of publication, Graphs & Digraphs has remained a popular point of entry to the field, and through its various editions, has evolved with the field from a purely mathematical treatment to one that also addresses the mathematical needs of computer scientists. Carefully updated, streamlined, and enhanced with new features, Graphs & Digraphs, Fourth Edition reflects many of the developments in graph theory that have emerged in recent years. The authors have added discussions on topics of increasing interest, deleted outdated material, and judiciously augmented the Exercises sections to cover a range of problems that reach beyond the construction of proofs. New in the Fourth Edition: Expanded treatment of Ramsey theory Major revisions to the material on domination and distance New material on list colorings that includes interesting recent results A solutions manual covering many of the exercises available to instructors with qualifying course adoptions A comprehensive bibliography including an updated list of graph theory books Every edition of Graphs & Digraphs has been unique in its reflection the subject as one that is important, intriguing, and most of all beautiful. The fourth edition continues that tradition, offering a comprehensive, tightly integrated, and up-to-date introduction that imparts an appreciation as well as a solid understanding of the material.