If I could only have one metallurgy book, this would be it. All major topics in metallurgy are covered at an undergraduate survey level. Cottrell's writing style is excellent, and he concentrates on giving the reader insight into the many technical aspects involved in metallurgy. He doesn't just throw a bunch of equations at you without giving you insight into each one. This book concentrates more on concepts and understanding than on industrial details and metallurgical recipes. Readers will need a basic understanding of calculus, physics and chemistry (at a first year college/university level).