As a mathematical discipline, ergodic theory is only about fifty
years old and its origin in statistical mechanics is still visible.
On the other hand, it has grown rapidly and developped extensive
ramifications into many well-established fields of modern mathematics.
Mathematicians with quite different backgrounds and different aims
have therefore become interested in ergodic theory. Рог a long time
the best approach for a beginner was through P.R. Halmos' "Lectures
on Ergodic Iheory" published in 1956. since then ergodic theory has
made considerable progress, of which Peter Walters A982) has recently
given a fairly comprehensive account.
In the present book we develop the most important and basic results
of modern ergodic theory rtthin the more comprehensive framework of
functional analysis. Methods of functional analysis often make it
possible to formulate more general results, which elucidate structural
similarities of problems arising in different branches of ergodic
theory. The 13 Lectures together with the Discussions (and the
Introductory Appendices if necessary) should provide a compact intro-
introduction into modern ergodic theory for the newcomer. Phe book will be,
however, much easier to comprehend for students with a solid back-
background in functional analysis.