Galaxy Formation

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This second edition of my book on galaxy formation builds on the positive reception of the first edition from 1998, which coincided with a surge of groundbreaking data that transformed astrophysical cosmology. Many challenges from the initial edition have been resolved, leading to the emergence of a concordance model in cosmology, akin to the standard model in particle physics. However, this model also presents new challenges, which is a cause for celebration as it allows us to explore deeper questions than before. These inquiries highlight the necessity for physics and astrophysics that extend "Beyond the Concordance Model." The aim of this new edition is to update this fascinating narrative while maintaining the spirit of the original. To provide some background, I was invited by Springer-Verlag to expand a set of lecture notes I prepared in 1988 for the First Astrophysics School organized by the European Astrophysics Doctoral Network into a comprehensive book. Initially published as a chapter in a volume on the evolution of galaxies, my goal was to bridge the gap between basic cosmology and the more complex technical papers that can be intimidating for newcomers. This edition seeks to present the fundamental ideas and key findings as clearly as possible, serving as an introduction and guide to the technical literature.