Book excerpt: Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy is one of the most powerful and versatile techniques now available for the study of molecular structure and reaction mechanisms. Written by recognised experts in the field, this classic account of modern NMR spectroscopy was heralded on its first publication in 1987 as 'the lasting text of its age'. The text provides a thoroughly comprehensive review of modern NMR techniques and the underlying principles. It describes the study of solutions and solids using one- and two-dimensional spectroscpy, providing both a solid theoretical foundation and a description of practical procedures. The material is presented in an intuitive manner within a rigorous mathematical framework, and is extensively illustrated throughout.