This book presents the formal lectures and contributed papers given at the NATO Advanced Study Institute on Fast Reactions in Energetic Systems, which took place in Preveza, Greece, during the period 6-19 July 1980. The material describes experimental observations and the more advanced theoretical aspects of certain types of fast reactions and energy or charge transfer processes which are usually complete 6 12 in periods of 10- - 10- seconds. Furthermore, it discusses the role of macroscopic and molecular processes in the ignition, combustion, deflagration, and detonation of solid, liquid, and gaseous chemical systems. Various papers deal with the ability of molecules to absorb and transmit the different forms of energy provided by shock, light, thermal, or electron pulses, and to contribute to the propagation of reactions under high temperatures and pressures. The role of energy pumped or transferred to electronic or vibrational states is discussed in terms of excitation, ionization, bond scission, and the formation of free radicals. The dynamics and reactivity of ionic species, electronically and vibrationally excited states, and free radicals are described for various gaseous, liquid, and solid systems. The proceedings include presentations of theoretical and experimental techniques to describe and observe the phenomena.