The study of Markov random fields has brought exciting new problems to probability theory which are being developed in parallel with basic investigation in other disciplines, most notably physics. The mathematical and physical literature is often quite technical. This book aims at a more gentle introduction to these new areas of research.
A fair introduction (perhaps an early history) of Ising models as Markov random fields. Early chapters were easy to follow, later chapters required more patience/interest. Only talks about Ising models though (data points are binary), so not as far ranging in applications as it proclaims. There are probably newer books to read in this field that would be more worthwhile.