This book is the original source for reading about the use of numerical methods from signal processing in wavelet constructions, with an eye to applications. Mathematically, it is especially elegant, and its author speaks the language of applied math, and numerical analysis. By now, it has in fact become a central area in numerical analysis. The book is actually an updated translation[by Robert D. Ryan] of the French version [RMA, v 25, by Albert Cohen in the Masson book series], and I can recommend both. I can also recommend the several other wonderful translations, from French to English, of wavelet books by R.D. Ryan, for example his translation of French language wavelet books by Yves Meyer et.al. In the years since Cohen's book, we have seen a handful of books stressing the interface of
signal processing and wavelets which are very suitable for classroom use. I have taught from some of them, but always find pearles in Cohen's original book when I take it down from my

shelf, or when I need to remind myself of the elegance of the presentation from the original source.

very interesting and efficient book on wavelets

This is a beautiful book. Albert Cohen writes a long love letter to his late mother. Like in his other books, death is an obsession or rather the discontinuity between life that is everything and death that is nothing. It is a moving masterpiece.

Themes from math, science and engineering that predate the more recent trends in wavelts are signal processing, atomic decomposions of Calderon, splines, and finite element techniques of numerical analysis. All of these earlier ideas have enriched math, given new life and power to applied wavelet technology. While signal processing, filter banks, and pyramid algorithms have formed the under-current of a number of recent books on the interface of wavelets and some the neighboring fields, including applications, the interaction with numerical analysis hasn't really been presented in a systematic fashion in book form; so that students, and the rest of us, can pick and learn the fundamentals from scratch;-- not before this lovely new book by Albert Cohen: You find the methods and tools needed in the discretization of problems from PDE and from analysis. I hope the publisher will promote the book. It deserves it. Give it a try! I believe you will not be disappointed. Albert Cohen shows how wavelet tools have enriched numerical analysis and vice versa.

Solal is the son of the chief rabbi of Cephalonia. He is on his way to become a highly recognised diplomat for the United Nations. He then falls for a sweet and beautiful French catholic girl, just on the eve of WWII. They get together, passionate, ignorant of their families' disapprovals. But the growing antisemitism affects Solal's love and behaviour, and he becomes sarcastic, irritable and guilty, in spite of Aurore's efforts to keep their love alive.This is written in a beautiful, original style by a wonderful and sincere author who deserve international recognition. His tone gets you to the insights of human brain, which he analyzes with an incredible lucidity. Read it !

Albert Cohen's masterpiece is intimidating both for its size and chapter-long sentences. But, please, do not be discouraged. This is one of the most insightful novels I have read. It delves into the bureacratic labyrinth of international institutions, mocks their functionaries, and is a haunting critique of European virtues on the eve of the Second World War. (Particularly funny for those familar with the World Bank, UN, or government anywhere).

But, most importantly, it portrays the relationship between men and women in a profound yet comic way. The book's difficulty is quite worth the struggle, especially when you reach the chapter where Solal seduces his beloved. A chapter that is hard for me to forget, for it shows just how stupid and cruel we are.

This is not for the lazy readers, but if you have any guts, read this one. Its worth the while.

Cohen's stream of consciousness - beautiful- style leaves us no escape from this absolute, uncompromising love. I have read the book many times, and it never fails to overwhelm me...although I should add that I have never been able to read the last 20 pages... Ariane and Solal are the most beautiful lovers since forever, unconcerned by others - it is the history of love from start to, ufortunately, the end..
(By the way, the novel does not take place in France, but Switzerland)

This magnificent opus of Albert Cohen is much more than The story of love. It is the story of the dream of love (not only personal, but also in its abstract form) and its impossible realization. It offers an original view of both male and female human nature in matters of love and life. It also contains some of the funniest chapters describing bourgeois society (Swiss, French, Belgian, German, Jewish - you name it) and its values and prejudices, and diplomatic life. Some may find it exaggerated and longwinded, but others will enjoy every single word, and re-read this book every so often. If you can't read it in the original French, don't miss this opportunity and read the English translation.

Did you want to know more about the crazy uncles of Solal in "Belle Du Seigneur"? This is your chance. Enjoy the easy living of the Jewish quarter in a tiny Greek town, where Mangeclous ("Nail-eater") lives. And enjoy his way of life: liar as a profession, cheating as a motto. Yes, he is filthy and indecent too, but isn't he lovely? Don't miss the other relatives of the Solal family. Charming characters all, you won't forget them and some of then may remind you of some member of your family! A pleasing, delightful book.

This is a very good introduction to the most famous French baroque composers: Lully, Charpentier, Lalande, Couperin and Rameau. The book gives an account of each of the composers' lives, lists all their works and comments on their style and major achievements. It is easy to read and one quickly gets a basic overview. However, if you are interested in a deeper exploration of the composers' opus, you may find yourself wanting more details. In that case you may want to read "Marc-Antoine Charpentier" by Catherine Cessac for more information on Charpentier or "Jean Baptiste de Lully and his Tragedies Lyriques" by Joyce Newman. Both books are very informative and detailed.

This short French book is the account of the events of one day, the author's tenth birthday, which turns out to be the end of his innocence. A Jewish immigrant from Greece, Albert had come with his family to France several years earlier, and was enthusiastically absorbing French culture. On this day, he approaches an animated street vendor, and is mesmorized by the French man's style and the beauty of his language. The man notices the dark, frizzy-haired young boy who has moved his way to the front of the crowd, and takes the opportunity to speak his mind about Jews in front of a willing audience. He spouts hateful, anti-semitic words which will be relived in Albert's mind for the rest of his life. The boy walks away stunned, humiliated, and changed forever. In this book, he learns about hatred, injustice, and about what it means to be a Jew in the world.

Having done a Ph.D. in optics, I have read quite some books on optics and out of curiocity I bought this book, but I am not very pleased with it. First, it is difficult to read because of the old English language and structure. For native English speakers this carries perhaps not so much weight, but for me it did. Second, because it is a collection of Newton's works, it contains of course also many not-so-interesting discussions which you have to 'consume' before realising it was not so interesting.

What is nice though, is that the book contains many so-called queries, which are possible explanations of various optical phenomena, explanations/assumptions Newton could not prove/disprove at the time. This is fascinating reading, because many of these turned out to be true (or false, but even then: still interesting to know what he thought).

Overall impression: if you are interested in the history of optics/Newton then it is a nice book. But just for browsing in the evening: no.

"Though Mr. Newton is no physicist, his book is very interesting." -- Father Nicolas Malebranche (1707)