"The unifying approach of functional analysis is to view functions as points in some abstract vector space and the differential and integral operators relating these points as linear transformations on these spaces. The author presents the basics of functional analysis with attention paid to both expository style and technical detail, while getting to interesting results as quickly as possible. The book is accessible to students who have completed first courses in linear algebra and real analysis.

Topics are developed in their historical context, with accounts of the past - including biographies - appearing throughout the text. The book offers suggestions and references for further study, and many exercises."--BOOK JACKET.