[see attached for complete text] Concise, fast-paced text introducing the concepts and applications behind plane networks aimed at applied mathematicians, mechanical engineers, geodesists and graduate students. Presentation unfolds in a systematic, user-friendly style and goes from the basics to cutting-edge research. Key features include: * presentation of the basics required: fundamental material from linear algebra and differential equations; * examination of classical mathematical tools for analyzing discrete networks, followed by a well-developed theory, which is the continuous analogue of a discrete network; * numerous examples, illustrations,