Progress in heavy-quark physics from BaBar, Belle, and CLEO

I present an overview of progress in heavy-quark physics, focusing on results from e(+)e(-) colliding-beam experiments. The central goal of these experiments is to discover and precisely measure CP asymmetries in a variety of processes in the B-meson system. Together with related quantities, such as the magnitudes of Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa elements, these measurements will overconstrain the Standard-Model framework for CP violation, either confirming this framework or providing evidence for new physics. The heavy-quark physics program also includes many other fascinating processes that do not bear directly on CP violation but which nevertheless are of great interest. Such processes as electroweak penguin decays, rare hadronic B decays, and D-0 - (D) over bar (0) mixing have sensitivity to new physics or help to sharpen our understanding of physics within the Standard Model. I also discuss the new B-factory accelerators, whose remarkable success should ensure rapid progress in this field. My presentation is intended to highlight some of the most interesting aspects of the subject for nonexperts.