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The principle of least action originates in the idea that, if nature has a purpose, it should follow a minimum or critical path. This simple principle, and its variants and generalizations, applies to optics, mechanics, electromagnetism, relativity, and quantum mechanics, and provides an essential guide to understanding the beauty of physics. This unique text provides an accessible introduction to the action principle across these various fields of physics, and examines its history and fundamental role in science. It includes - with varying levels of mathematical sophistication - explanations from historical sources, discussion of classic papers, and original worked examples. The result is a story that is understandable to those with a modest mathematical background, as well as to researchers and students in physics and the history of physics.

Least action. --- Variational principles. --- Mechanics. --- Lagrange equations. --- Hamilton-Jacobi equations. --- Equations, Hamilton-Jacobi --- Equations, Jacobi-Hamilton --- Jacobi-Hamilton equations --- Calculus of variations --- Differential equations, Partial --- Hamiltonian systems --- Mechanics --- D'Alembert equation --- Equations, Euler-Lagrange --- Equations, Lagrange --- Euler-Lagrange equations --- Lagrangian equations --- Differential equations --- Equations of motion --- Classical mechanics --- Newtonian mechanics --- Physics --- Dynamics --- Quantum theory --- Extremum principles --- Minimal principles --- Variation principles --- Variational principles