The book consists, firstly, of the monograph by W. Lawson and S Nielsen "Growing single crystals" (London, 1958), secondly, from D. Hurl's review "The mechanism of growth of metal single crystals from melt" (London, 1962) and, thirdly, from journal articles reflecting the latest major achievements in the field of growing single crystals. The monograph was written by two major English specialists. It contains a summary of technological experience in growing pure and perfect single crystals, which, at the same time, sets out ideas about the mechanism of their growth and the origin of imperfections. The material is presented taking into account the latest achievements of science and technology, but in a very simple and visual form, without cluttering up with mathematical calculations. A detailed review by D. Hurl, successfully supplementing the monograph, clearly and quite fully reflects on the basis of the most recent works modern ideas about the mechanism of growth of metal single crystals from melt.