Linear Representations of Finite Groups (Graduate Texts in Mathematics : Vol 42)

Rating:
Summary: Typical Serre, concise, clean, clear.
Review: This is a an excellent introduction to the subject. The book really breaks into 3 distinct parts. The first 5 chapters are a rapid introduction to the basics, similar to what one would get from any indroductory text. They are most notable for actually going through the details on D_n, S_n cyclic groups...The second section (chapters 6-13) gives a more graduate level presentation of the material. Starting with a discussion of group algebras, moving onto inducted representations Artin's theorem (the existence of virtual characters) The third section is Brauer Theory. The book is by Serre so it goes without saying it one of the best if not the best book on the market. His failure to deal with the additional complexities of the infinite group case (which he indicates in the title) is a small problem. He could have spent at least 1 chapter addressing how the results of the book could be extended. The index of notation is a fantastic asset for a subject where notation plays such a large role.