Book excerpt: Complex dynamics is one of the most fascinating subjects of study and research in mathematics. This third volume in the series entitled Non-Invertible Dynamical Systems not only examines topological and analytical properties of the iteration of rational functions on the Riemann sphere (in particular, the Fatou and Julia sets) but also focuses on thermodynamic, ergodic and fractal properties of these functions (notably, equilibrium states, Bowen's formula and Sullivan’s conformal measures). This volume builds on the first two volumes in the series while simultaneously developing some methods and techniques specific to rational functions.