Introduction to harmonic analysis and generalized Gelfand pairs (Q1049881)

This book is a quite elementary introduction to harmonic analysis that grew out of the lectures the author has given in several places. The author covers mainly classical topics although the last two chapters are devoted to the theory of generalized Gelfand pairs. It seems to be the first textbook on harmonic analysis treating this subject besides [\textit{G. van Dijk}, Gelfand pairs and beyond. COE Lecture Note 11. Fukuoka: Kyushu University, Faculty of Mathematics (2008; Zbl 1152.22002)] which the author recommends for further reading. The book under review is basically self-contained, only requiring basic functional analysis, some knowledge of distribution theory and elementary Lie theory. The material presented in the book is carefully explained so that it can be used for self-study. The book consists of nine chapters and two appendices. It starts with the elementary theory of Fourier series and Fourier integrals (Chapters 1 and 2). Next, after introducing locally compact groups and the Haar measure (Chapters 3 and 4), the author explains the abstract harmonic analysis on locally compact Abelian groups (Chapter 5). The next two chapters (6 and 7) cover the classical theory of Gelfand pairs. Finally in the last two chapters (8 and 9) the author deals with generalized Gelfand pairs. Both the theory of classical and generalized Gelfand pairs presented in the book are illustrated by many examples.