Cambridge Physical Series; Radio-Activity, by Ernest Rutherford. A classic work by the New Zealand Physicist, Ernest Rutherford (1871-1937), considered to be one of the true greats in the field of science. He was awarded a Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1908. He has been described as "The Father of Nuclear Physics". Published by Cambridge University Press, 1904. Scarce first edition of Rutherford's Radio-Activity, a landmark work that helped shape the new field of nuclear physics. It was the first major text to systematically explain radioactivity, drawing on Rutherford’s own experiments and those of his peers. The book outlined the classification of radioactive materials, techniques for detecting radiation, and key theoretical ideas. Its importance lies in how it organized and advanced understanding of radioactivity. Rutherford explained decay chains and clearly distinguished between alpha, beta, and gamma rays. These insights paved the way for his later development of the nuclear atom model, making Radio-Activity a foundational work in modern physics. A good green cloth hardback in its original issue binding. With bumping, scuffing and a few marks to cover. Wear to head and tail of spine, and extremities. The spine is slightly sunned. Bookplate to front pastedown with handwritten date and some signs of removal of previous owner's marks. Some offsetting and spotting to endpapers.  The text itself is largely clean and bright with marginal age toning.  A hugely important work in its field. Text in English. viii + 2pp + 399pp + 1pp Plate (as called for). With diagrams and illustrations in the text. Dimensions: approx 260mm high x 149mm wide x 26mm deep. Weight: approximately 660g (unpacked).