This comprehensive textbook on combinatorial optimization puts special emphasis on theoretical results and algorithms with provably good performance, in contrast to heuristics. It has arisen as the basis of several courses on combinatorial optimization and more special topics at graduate level. Since the complete book contains enough material for at least four semesters (4 hours a week), one usually selects material in a suitable way. The book contains complete (but concise) proofs, also for many deep results, some of which did not appear in a book before. Many very recent topics are covered as well, and many references are provided. Thus this book represents the state-of-the-art of combinatorial optimization.
From the reviews of the 2nd Edition:
"Provides a useful collection of the major techniques, results and references in combinatorial optimization for researchers and teachers in the field."—
MATHEMATICAL REVIEWS
"This book on combinatorial optimization is a beautiful example of the ideal textbook."
Operations Resarch Letters 33 (2005), p.216-217
"The second edition (with corrections and many updates) of this very recommendable book documents the relevant knowledge on combinatorial optimization and records those problems and algorithms that define this discipline today. To read this is very stimulating for all the researchers, practitioners, and students interested in combinatorial optimization."
OR News 19 (2003), p.42
From the reviews of the third edition:
"In the last years Korte and J. Vygen’s ‘Combinational Optimization. Theory and Algorithms’ has become a standard textbook in the field. 5 years after the first edition ... the 3rd revised edition is available. ... several proofs have been streamlined, the references have been updated and new exercises have been added. That makes this volume to one of the most comprehensive and up-to-date textbooks in the field of combinatorial optimization."
Rainer E. Burkard, Zentralblatt MATH, Vol. 1099 (1), 2007
"This volume is an encyclopedic reference and textbook on theory and algorithms in combinatorial optimization. ... As befits a reference book, the references are very complete and up to date. ... The book has separate topic and author indexes and a very useful glossary of notation. ... The book ... will appeal primarily to readers who want an advanced textbook that can also serve as a concise reference. ... The current volume by Korte and Vygen is a worthy successor."
Brian Borchers, MathDL, May, 2006
