Book excerpt: Over the last 30 years, Dr. Nikita V. Chukanov has collected IR spectra of about 2000 mineral species, including 247 holotype samples. In this book, he presents 3309 spectra of these minerals with detailed description and analytical data for reference samples. In the course of this work, about 150 new mineral species have been discovered. After an introductory chapter, infrared spectra of minerals are given together with the descriptions of standard samples used (occurrence, appearance, associated minerals, empirical formula etc.) and some comments. Sections are organized according to different classes of compounds (silicates, phosphates, arsenates, oxides etc.).