Stochastic kinetics: why and how? -- Chemical kinetics: a prototype of nonlinear science -- Applicability of the deterministic model -- Fluctuation phenomena -- Stochastic chemical kinetics -- Continuous time discrete state stochastic models -- Model frameworks -- Stochastic processes -- The standard stochastic model of homogeneous reaction kinetics -- Solutions of the master equation -- Stationary and transient distributions -- Simulation methods -- Deterministic continuation -- Continuous state approximations -- Non-Markovian approaches -- Applications -- Introductory remarks -- Fluctuations near instabilities -- Compartmental systems -- Autocatalysis -- Enzyme kinetics -- Signal processing -- Gene expression -- Chiral symmetry -- Parameter estimation in stochastic kinetic models -- Stochastic resonance in chemical systems -- Computation with small stochastic kinetic systems -- The Book in Retrospect and Prospect -- Index.