The term private equity typically includes investments in venture capital or growth investment, as well as late stage, mezzanine, turnaround (distressed), and buyout investments. It typically refers to the asset class of equity securities in companies that are not publicly traded on a stock exchange. However, private equity funds do in fact make investments in publicly held companies, and some private equity funds are even publicly listed. Chapters in this book cover both private and public company investments, as well as private and publicly listed private equity funds. This Handbook provides a comprehensive picture of the issues surrounding the structure, governance, and performance of private equity. It comprises contributions from 41 authors based in 14 different countries. The book is organized into seven parts, the first of which covers the topics pertaining to the structure of private equity funds. Part II deals with the performance and governance of leveraged buyouts. Part III analyzes club deals in private equity, otherwise referred to as syndicated investments with multiple investors per investees. Part IV provides analyses of the real effects of private equity. Part V considers the financial effects of private equity. Part VI provides analyzes of listed private equity. Finally, Part VII provides international perspectives on private equity.