facts. An elementary acquaintance with topology, algebra, and analysis (in cluding the notion of a manifold) is sufficient as far as the understanding of this book is concerned. All the necessary properties and theorems have been gathered in the preliminary chapters -either with proofs or with references to standard and elementary textbooks. The first chapter of the book is devoted to a study of the rings Oa of holomorphic functions. The notions of analytic sets and germs are introduced in the second chapter. Its aim is to present elementary properties of these objects, also in connection with ideals of the rings Oa. The case of principal germs (§5) and one-dimensional germs (Puiseux theorem, §6) are treated separately. The main step towards understanding of the local structure of analytic sets is Ruckert's descriptive lemma proved in Chapter III. Among its conse quences is the important Hilbert Nullstellensatz (§4). In the fourth chapter, a study of local structure (normal triples, § 1) is followed by an exposition of the basic properties of analytic sets. The latter includes theorems on the set of singular points, irreducibility, and decom position into irreducible branches (§2). The role played by the ring 0 A of an analytic germ is shown (§4). Then, the Remmert-Stein theorem on re movable singularities is proved (§6). The last part of the chapter deals with analytically constructible sets (§7).

Easily accessible Includes recent developments Assumes very little knowledge of differentiable manifolds and functional analysis Particular emphasis on topics related to mirror symmetry (SUSY, Kaehler-Einstein metrics, Tian-Todorov lemma)

This book establishes the basic function theory and complex geometry of Riemann surfaces, both open and compact. Many of the methods used in the book are adaptations and simplifications of methods from the theories of several complex variables and complex analytic geometry and would serve as excellent training for mathematicians wanting to work in complex analytic geometry. After three introductory chapters, the book embarks on its central, and certainly most novel, goal of studying Hermitian holomorphic line bundles and their sections. Among other things, finite-dimensionality of spaces of sections of holomorphic line bundles of compact Riemann surfaces and the triviality of holomorphic line bundles over Riemann surfaces are proved, with various applications. Perhaps the main result of the book is Hormander's Theorem on the square-integrable solution of the Cauchy-Riemann equations. The crowning application is the proof of the Kodaira and Narasimhan Embedding Theorems for compact and open Riemann surfaces. The intended reader has had first courses in real and complex analysis, as well as advanced calculus and basic differential topology (though the latter subject is not crucial). As such, the book should appeal to a broad portion of the mathematical and scientific community. This book is the first to give a textbook exposition of Riemann surface theory from the viewpoint of positive Hermitian line bundles and Hormander $\bar \partial$ estimates. It is more analytical and PDE oriented than prior texts in the field, and is an excellent introduction to the methods used currently in complex geometry, as exemplified in J. P. Demailly's online but otherwise unpublished book ``Complex analytic and differential geometry.'' I used it for a one quarter course on Riemann surfaces and found it to be clearly written and self-contained. It not only fills a significant gap in the large textbook literature on Riemann surfaces but is also rather indispensible for those who would like to teach the subject from a differential geometric and PDE viewpoint. --Steven Zelditch

Provides the reader with a deep appreciation of complex analysis and how this subject fits into mathematics. The first four chapters provide an introduction to complex analysis with many elementary and unusual applications. Chapters 5 to 7 develop the Cauchy theory and include some striking applications to calculus. Chapter 8 glimpses several appealing topics, simultaneously unifying the book and opening the door to further study.

This introduction to the theory of complex manifolds covers the most important branches and methods in complex analysis of several variables while completely avoiding abstract concepts involving sheaves, coherence, and higher-dimensional cohomology. Only elementary methods such as power series, holomorphic vector bundles, and one-dimensional cocycles are used. Each chapter contains a variety of examples and exercises.

Modern introduction to algebraic geometry for undergraduates; uses analytic ideas to access algebraic theory.