Book excerpt: Most books on elliptic and parabolic equations emphasize existence and uniqueness of solutions. By contrast, this book focuses on the qualitative properties of solutions. In addition to the discussion of classical results for equations with smooth coefficients (Schauder estimates and the solvability of the Dirichlet problem for elliptic equations; the Dirichlet problem for the heat equation), the book describes properties of solutions to second order elliptic and parabolic equations with measurable coefficients near the boundary and at infinity. The book presents a fine elementary introduction to the theory of elliptic and parabolic equations of second order. The precise and clear exposition is suitable for graduate students as well as for research mathematicians who want to get acquainted with this area of the theory of partial differential equations.