Book excerpt: This issue of the Ceramic Transactions compiles 41 papers covering a rich diversity of the sintering science and technology topics. These papers were presented at the International Conference on Sintering, November 16-20, 2008 in La Jolla, California. The Ceramic Transactions series contains a collection of papers dealing with issues in both traditional ceramics (i.e., glass, whitewares, refractories, and porcelain enamel) and advanced ceramics. Topics covered in the area of advanced ceramic include bioceramics, nanomaterials, composites, solid oxide fuel cells, mechanical properties and structural design, advanced ceramic coatings, ceramic armor, porous ceramics, and more.