This informative book describes the technological evolution of silicon detectors and their impact on high- energy particle physics. The author draws on his own first-hand experience in the development and also the realization of the DELPHI, CDF II and the CMS tracking detector. The basic principles of small strip- and pixel-detectors are presented and also the final large-scale applications. The text acquaints readers with the manifold challenges in designing sensors and pushing sensor technology to the limits. The expert will find critical information that is so far only available in various slide presentation scattered over the worldwide web. This practical introduction of silicon sensor technology and its day to day life in the lab offers many examples illustrating problems and their solutions over several detector generations.