For readers with some basic knowledge of many-body physics, Giamarchi (U. of Geneva and Paris XI U.) introduces a selection of his favorite techniques and concepts for studying one-dimensional systems of interacting particles. Among them are the bosonization approach used repeatedly in the rest of the book, very low level techniques, more sophisticated technical and physical situations, and various microscopic methods. Then he explores some classes of systems and discusses experimental materials such as spin systems; single-chain, coupled, and quasi-one-dimensional fermionic systems and the effects of disorder in them; boundaries, isolated impurities, and constrictions; and Luttinger liquids.