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This well-written text (a corrected reprint of the 1988 original, published by Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ) is an introduction to partial differential equations and physical modeling. The following equations of mathematical physics are studied: Wave equation, heat equation, telegraph equation, Lamé equation, equations of gas dynamics, and others. The Navier-Stokes equations, Maxwell's equations, and Burgers' equation are touched. Under the aspects of existence, uniqueness, regularity, and expliciteness the authors present an introduction to solution methods for abstract elliptic, parabolic, and hyperbolic partial differential equations. Moreover, they introduce Fourier series and transforms, variational methods, generalized solutions, Green's functions, potential theory, integral equations, and free boundary problems. The book is written for both, students of physics and students of mathematics with basic knowledge of advanced calculus. It contains numerous instructive exercises (also hints for the solution), suggestions for further reading (about 35 books up to 1985) and an index. Doubtless, this is an attractive introductory book containing a lot of useful items for students and everybody who is engaged in solving real world problems.