AbstractIn this paper I review the properties and behavior of low-mass X-ray binary systems (LMXBs) that contain neutron stars (NS), concentrating on the Galactic bulge sources and bursters. I describe the observed characteristics of LMXBs including their light curves, spectra, eclipses, dips, bursts, flares, pulsations, QPO, long-term periodicities and orbital period changes, and explain how fast timing results and the distinction between ‘Z’ and ‘atoll’-type sources provide the key to a unified model of LMXB behavior.