Livingston helps make the complex concepts behind the electronic properties of materials much more accessible for students. His very readable writing style and clear organization help to make the key topics much easier to understand. The first part of this text presents only "classical" ideas, covering the electronic properties of solids that are pertinent to the use of materials as components in various products.

The second part introduces Quantum mechanics and applies Quantum chemistry and Quantum physics to the basic properties of metals, insulators, and semiconductors. This approach allows the student to become familiar with some of the mathematics necessary for Quantum mechanics before being exposed to the more challenging fundamental concepts.