Mengüç, Mustafa PınarFrancoeur, M.2024-01-242024-01-242023-01-01978-032399901-4http://hdl.handle.net/10679/9074https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-99901-4.00001-9In this chapter, we present a short discussion about light and its importance in nature, human civilizations, and society, and provide some cultural discussions. We briefly mention the interconnections between electromagnetic wave propagation, absorption, scattering, plasmonics, thermal emission, and near-field radiative transfer. We also provide an overview of the chapters in the book to help the reader to start their pursuit of interdisciplinary studies of light, plasmonics, and particles.enginfo:eu-repo/semantics/restrictedAccessBook chapter12010.1016/B978-0-323-99901-4.00001-9Electromagnetic wavesHistory of lightNear-field radiative transferParticlesPlasmonicsThermal radiation2-s2.0-85163525511