Series:

Annals of Mathematics Studies

7 primary works • 11 total works

Book 51

Cover of Morse Theory. (AM-51)

Morse Theory. (AM-51)

by John Milnor

Published 2 March 2016

Book 61

Cover of Singular Points of Complex Hypersurfaces. (AM-61)
The description for this book, Singular Points of Complex Hypersurfaces. (AM-61), will be forthcoming.

Book 70

Cover of Prospects in Mathematics. (AM-70)

Book 72

Cover of Introduction to Algebraic K-Theory. (AM-72)

Book 76

Cover of Characteristic Classes. (AM-76)

Book 91

Cover of Seminar on Singularities of Solutions of Linear Partial Differential Equations. (AM-91)

Book 160

Cover of Dynamics in One Complex Variable. (Am-160)
This volume studies the dynamics of iterated holomorphic mappings from a Riemann surface to itself, concentrating on the classical case of rational maps of the Riemann sphere. This subject is large and rapidly growing. These lectures are intended to introduce some key ideas in the field, and to form a basis for further study. The reader is assumed to be familiar with the rudiments of complex variable theory and of two-dimensional differential geometry, as well as some basic topics from topology. This third edition contains a number of minor additions and improvements: A historical survey has been added, the definition of Lattes map has been made more inclusive, and the ecalle-Voronin theory of parabolic points is described. The residu iteratif is studied, and the material on two complex variables has been expanded. Recent results on effective computability have been added, and the references have been expanded and updated. Written in his usual brilliant style, the author makes difficult mathematics look easy. This book is a very accessible source for much of what has been accomplished in the field.

Cover of Characteristic Classes. (AM-76), Volume 76
The theory of characteristic classes provides a meeting ground for the various disciplines of differential topology, differential and algebraic geometry, cohomology, and fiber bundle theory. As such, it is a fundamental and an essential tool in the study of differentiable manifolds. In this volume, the authors provide a thorough introduction to characteristic classes, with detailed studies of Stiefel-Whitney classes, Chern classes, Pontrjagin classes, and the Euler class. Three appendices cover the basics of cohomology theory and the differential forms approach to characteristic classes, and provide an account of Bernoulli numbers. Based on lecture notes of John Milnor, which first appeared at Princeton University in 1957 and have been widely studied by graduate students of topology ever since, this published version has been completely revised and corrected.

Cover of Morse Theory. (AM-51), Volume 51
One of the most cited books in mathematics, John Milnor's exposition of Morse theory has been the most important book on the subject for more than forty years. Morse theory was developed in the 1920s by mathematician Marston Morse. (Morse was on the faculty of the Institute for Advanced Study, and Princeton published his Topological Methods in the Theory of Functions of a Complex Variable in the Annals of Mathematics Studies series in 1947.) One classical application of Morse theory includes the attempt to understand, with only limited information, the large-scale structure of an object. This kind of problem occurs in mathematical physics, dynamic systems, and mechanical engineering. Morse theory has received much attention in the last two decades as a result of a famous paper in which theoretical physicist Edward Witten relates Morse theory to quantum field theory. Milnor was awarded the Fields Medal (the mathematical equivalent of a Nobel Prize) in 1962 for his work in differential topology.
He has since received the National Medal of Science (1967) and the Steele Prize from the American Mathematical Society twice (1982 and 2004) in recognition of his explanations of mathematical concepts across a wide range of scienti.c disciplines. The citation reads, "The phrase sublime elegance is rarely associated with mathematical exposition, but it applies to all of Milnor's writings. Reading his books, one is struck with the ease with which the subject is unfolding and it only becomes apparent after re.ection that this ease is the mark of a master." Milnor has published five books with Princeton University Press.

Cover of Prospects in Mathematics. (AM-70), Volume 70
Five papers by distinguished American and European mathematicians describe some current trends in mathematics in the perspective of the recent past and in terms of expectations for the future. Among the subjects discussed are algebraic groups, quadratic forms, topological aspects of global analysis, variants of the index theorem, and partial differential equations.

Cover of Introduction to Algebraic K-Theory. (AM-72), Volume 72
Algebraic K-theory describes a branch of algebra that centers about two functors. K0 and K1, which assign to each associative ring ? an abelian group K0? or K1? respectively. Professor Milnor sets out, in the present work, to define and study an analogous functor K2, also from associative rings to abelian groups. Just as functors K0 and K1 are important to geometric topologists, K2 is now considered to have similar topological applications. The exposition includes, besides K-theory, a considerable amount of related arithmetic.