Singular integrals are among the most interesting and important objects
of study in analysis, one of the three main branches of mathematics.
They deal with real and complex numbers and their functions. In this
book, Princeton professor Elias Stein, a leading mathematical innovator
as well as a gifted expositor, produced what has been called the most
influential mathematics text in the last thirty-five years. One reason
for its success as a text is its almost legendary presentation: Stein
takes arcane material, previously understood only by specialists, and
makes it accessible even to beginning graduate students. Readers have
reflected that when you read this book, not only do you see that the
greats of the past have done exciting work, but you also feel inspired
that you can master the subject and contribute to it yourself.
Singular integrals were known to only a few specialists when Stein's
book was first published. Over time, however, the book has inspired a
whole generation of researchers to apply its methods to a broad range of
problems in many disciplines, including engineering, biology, and
finance.
Stein has received numerous awards for his research, including the Wolf
Prize of Israel, the Steele Prize, and the National Medal of Science. He
has published eight books with Princeton, including Real Analysis in
2005.