This book is an introduction to current research on the N- vortex problem of fluid mechanics. Its goal is to describe the Hamiltonian aspects of vortex dynamics so that graduate students and researchers can use the book as an entry point into the rather large literature on integrable and non-integrable vortex problems within the broader context of dynamical systems. It is as self-contained as possible: the only training required of the reader is a good background in advanced calculus and ordinary and partial differential equations at the level of a typical undergraduate engineering, physics, or applied mathematics major. Exercises of varying difficulty are found at the end of each chapter which often require the reader to fill in details of proofs or complete examples.

This book is an introduction to current research on the N- vortex problem of fluid mechanics. Its goal is to describe the Hamiltonian aspects of vortex dynamics so that graduate students and researchers can use the book as an entry point into the rather large literature on integrable and non-integrable vortex problems within the broader context of dynamical systems. It is as self-contained as possible: the only training required of the reader is a good background in advanced calculus and ordinary and partial differential equations at the level of a typical undergraduate engineering, physics, or applied mathematics major. Exercises of varying difficulty are found at the end of each chapter which often require the reader to fill in details of proofs or complete examples.