Analysis Essential Results of Functional Analysis by Zimmer

Click For Summary
The discussion centers around Robert Zimmer's book on functional analysis, which is noted for its authoritative content but is described as advanced and terse. The author, Zimmer, is recognized for his exceptional academic ability, having been a standout student in a topology class at Brandeis University. While the book appears to focus on key results in functional analysis, it may be challenging for readers without a solid foundation in the subject. A suggestion is made to read a more accessible book, such as one by Berberian, before tackling Zimmer's work. The book includes significant theorems like the Stone-Weierstrass and open-mapping theorems early on, indicating its rigorous nature. Overall, the book is recommended for its focus and value, but readers are advised to prepare adequately before diving in.

For those who have used this book

  • Strongly Recommend

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Lightly Recommend

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Lightly don't Recommend

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Strongly don't Recommend

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    0
Physics news on Phys.org
I don't know this book. I.e. I own it but have not read it. But I know the author Robert Zimmer. He was the brightest student in a good topology class I graded for at Brandeis, taught by Mike Spivak in the late 1960's. He was so strong I used to cheat and use his homework as a template for grading the problems I myself could not do. Mike called attention to how good he was and I responded that some other students were not bad either. Mike said, "I didn't say bad, I said good." Zimmer became president of The University of Chicago in 2006.

http://president.uchicago.edu/page/about-president-zimmer

A brief glance at this book made it seem a bit advanced and terse. I think it is safe to assume this is an authoritative work, but I cannot say how easy it is to read until I examine it more closely. I would suggest possibly preparing by reading an easier book first, maybe one by Berberian. I am inclined to vote it up highly, but cannot honestly do so without reading more of it, more leisurely.by the way, if you wonder what number micromass likes so much, try counting the parentheses on the right end.
 
Last edited:
It would be funny to see this book next to one like dunford/schwartz. the good thing about it is its focus on the key results (& the price is right too iirc). it is definitely terse though, & has pretty steep requirements. just in the first few pages it's already got the stone-weierstrass & open-mapping theorems.
 
Many years ago, as the internet was coming of age, I burned over 500 pounds of technical manuals. I realized I can look things up on the internet faster than I can find something in a technical manual. And just about anything I might need could be found online. But letting go of my several shelves worth of college text and other science books is another matter. I can't bring myself to get rid of them but there is very little if anything I can't find online now. Books are heavy and a pain...

Similar threads

  • · Replies 34 ·
2
Replies
34
Views
5K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
4K
  • Poll Poll
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
  • Poll Poll
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • Poll Poll
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
5K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
4K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • Poll Poll
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
7K
  • Poll Poll
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K