Stress corrosion cracking was first observed in pipelines in the US during the 1960s and in Canada during the 1980s, says Cheng (pipeline engineering, U. of Calgary, Canada), and has proved to be an impediment to the safe operation of pipelines and a motivation for scientists to discover the detailed mechanism behind the process. He summarizes the current state of scientific understanding and relevant engineering practice for scientists, engineers, managers, technologists, students, and others (but apparently not regulators or activists concerned about petroleum spewing in their community). The topics are fundamentals, nearly-neutral-pH and high-pH cracking, acidic soil environments, pipeline welds, high-strength pipeline steels, and managing pipeline stress corrosion cracking. Annotation 2013 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)