Review by Choice Review
A marvelous book that should be in every serious academic library. It explores at a high but "elementary" level (i.e., avoiding Lebesgue integrals) the field of analysis that has given rise to much of modern mathematics. Korner has written brilliantly 105 short excursions into developments and applications of Fourier analysis, as well as pieces on the nature and history of 19th century science. If the intense mathematical content did not prohibit it, the book could be called a collection of essays. Much of the flavor is historical and scholarly, but many of the topics are decidedly contemporary (RSA ciphers, computer calculation of Fourier transforms). The book, which is more an invitation to individual study than a reference work, is simultaneously an entirely serious and tremendously humorous book. There are several standard works on Fourier analysis (Y. Katznelson's Introduction to Harmonic Analysis, CH, Aug '68, and R.E. Edwards's Fourier Series; A Modern Introduction, 2nd ed., 1979) but they are for the more advanced reader. The only works accessible to undergraduates are dull compared to Korner. The only criticism that might be leveled at the author is the accusation of sexist writing--he invariably refers to the reader as "she." Highly recommended. -S. Puckette, University of the South
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
