Introduction

This chapter serves as an introduction to the book explaining its origin, purpose, and philosophy. In the process, it also contains background information about the authors and the material to be covered in the following 17 chapters. To do so, it is necessary that the terms comprehensive applied mathematical modeling and Pulling Rabbits Out of Hats be defined. The chapter includes a description of the difference between particle and continuum mechanical treatments and linear and nonlinear analyses, as well as an example of pattern formation, all of which will be play a fundamental role for the phenomena to be studied in the rest of the book.