The book reviews the most timely and interesting problems of stellar astrophysics, particularly those suitable for studies with the world's largest telescopes, and it can serve as an introduction to such studies. In particular it gives a comprehensive presentation of state-of-the-art research in stellar and planetary system formation, extra-solar planets, final stages of single and binary stellar evolution, and stellar populations in the Local Group of Galaxies, including observational techniques and technologies applicable to those important fields. The book also presents the most important unresolved problems of stellar astrophysics, intended to help identify directions for future research.