Cardinal invariants on Boolean algebras (Q5917784)

In 1990, Birkhäuser published the book: Cardinal functions on Boolean algebras (1990; Zbl 0706.06009), by \textit{J. D. Monk}, in its Lectures in Mathematics series. Covering most of what was known on cardinal invariants in Boolean algebras, its encyclopedic nature and coherent organization stimulated research in the field to such an extent that Monk periodically created substantially updated versions, distributed through e-mail, as steps towards a true second edition. This book, now in Birkhäuser's Progress in Mathematics series, is that second edition. Roughly twice the length of the first version, it contains not only more results, but expanded background material, including greater attention to topology. The first three chapters are preliminary. The first chapter defines the major invariants and some derived notions, and gives a general description of the sorts of questions that will be asked. The second chapter discusses operations on Boolean algebras (and on topological spaces); the third discusses classes of Boolean algebras of special interest. Then come 20 chapters dedicated to particular invariants. These chapters are quite exhaustive, discussing not only the invariants of the chapter titles, but related invariants, often of considerable logical complexity, and generally giving complete proofs. A brief chapter directs the reader to other cardinal invariants, most of which were discussed in the text (with references given). The last two chapters provide summary information at a glance, with one chapter giving diagrams of invariant inequalities for particular classes of algebras, and another giving invariant properties of canonical examples. In addition, 97 open problems are explicitly mentioned in the main text, and conveniently listed at the end. This book is an indispensable tool for anyone working in Boolean algebra, and is also recommended for set-theoretic topologists.