Superstring theory and its successor, M-theory, hold promises of a deeper understanding of the Standard Model of particle physics, the unification of the four fundamental forces, the quantum theory of gravity, the mysteries of quantum black holes, Big Bang cosmology and, ultimately, their complete synthesis in a final theory of physics.

This volume records the proceedings of the major annual international conference on the subject, "Strings 2000", which involved 45 talks by the world's leading experts on string theory and M-theory. It will be of interest not only to researchers in the field...