The appearance of this book is one of the most exciting events for friends of the Calculus of Variations since the publication of Caratheodory's classic in 1935 on the calculus of variations and partial differential equations of first order. The author ... gives here a very lively, greatly stimulating, and highly personalized account of the calculus of variations and optimal control theory ... In his many refreshing asides, the author not only puts ideas and techniques into their historic perspective, but also succeeds in making men, who for many of us are merely revered names, come alive through skillful selection of quotes and descriptions of their interaction with each other and the subject matter at hand ... A beautiful book ... that is bound to stimulate many mathematicians and students of mathematics. -- MAA Monthly A considerable number of heretofore unpublished results developed by the author are found ... The book is an important contribution to the calculus of variations and optimal control theory. It is most appropriate that the theory of generalized curves should be presented ... by its founder. The book is well written with an unusual and lively style. It is filled with historical remarks and with comments which enlarge one's outlook on the role of mathematics and mathematicians in our society ... This book should be mastered by anyone who wishes to become an expert in this field. -- Mathematical Reviews
