Book excerpt: The subject discussed in this book is the stability of thin-walled elastic systems under static loads. The presentation of these problems is based on modern approaches to elastic-stability theory. Special attention is paid to the formulation of elastic-stability criteria, to the statement of column, plate and shell stability problems, to the derivation of basic relationships, and to a discussion of the boundaries of the application of analytic relationships. The author has tried to avoid arcane, nonstandard problems and elaborate and unexpected solutions, which bring real pleasure to connoisseurs, but confuse students and cause bewilderment to some practical engineers. The author has an apprehension that problems which, though interesting, are limited in application can divert the reader's attention from the more prosaic but no less sophisticated general problems of stability theory.