This classic reference combines broad, yet in-depth coverage of nuclear engineering principles with practical descriptions of their application in the design and operation of nuclear power plants. Published in a two-volume format to accommodate readers' specific interests, the first volume concentrates on the fundamentals of nuclear engineering, while the second explores applications and more advanced topics. Volume One introduces diverse aspects of nuclear engineering as a basis for applications and more advanced topics. Drawing on his extensive experience, Alexander Sesonske reviews the scientific underpinnings of nuclear power, including nuclear fission, radioactivity, and neutron diffusion theory, providing a solid foundation for more advanced understanding of nuclear power. This book demonstrates successful approaches to plant design and control, considering fuel depletion, reactor kinetics, and the effects of radiation on plant materials, enabling the reader to view each function in the broader context of the plant as a whole. Sesonske details vital aspects of radiation protection and shielding to allow integration of health and safety concerns into the design and control of the nuclear facility.