Partial Differential Equations / Cornerstones (PDF)

"The book under review, the second edition of Emmanuele DiBenedetto’s 1995 Partial Differential Equations, now appearing in Birkhäuser’s 'Cornerstones' series, is an example of excellent timing. This is a well-written, self-contained, elementary introduction to linear, partial differential equations.

So it is that DiBenedetto, whose philosophical position regarding PDE is unabashedly that 'although a branch of mathematics, [it is] closely related to physical phenomena,' presents us with marvelous coverage of (in order), quasi-linearity and Cauchy-Kowalevski, Laplace, BVPs by 'double-layer potentials,' [and my favorite three chapters:] integral equations and the eigenvalue problem, the heat equation, and the wave equation. Then he returns to quasi-linearity (for first order equations), goes on to non-linearity, linear elliptic equations with measurable coefficients..., and, finally...DeGiorgi classes.

PDE is beautifully written, in clear and concise prose, the mathematics is cogent and complete, and the presentation testifies both to DiBenedetto’s fine taste in the subject and his experience in teaching this difficult material.

Make no mistake: the book is neither chatty nor discursive, but there’s something more or less ineffable about it, making it appear somehow less austere than other texts on PDE. Check it out.

DiBenedetto has also included a decent number of what he calls 'Problems and Complements,' and, to be sure, these should capture the attention of the conscientious student or reader.

Thus, DiBenedetto’s PDE is indeed a cornerstone text in the subject. It looks like a rare gem to me.

—MAA Reviews(Review of theSecond Edition)