p-adic L-functions and p-adic representations

"Traditionally, p-adic L-functions have been constructed from complex L-functions via special values and Iwasawa theory. In this volume, Perrin-Riou presents a theory of p-adic L-functions coming directly from p-adic Galois representations (or, more generally, from motives). This theory encompasses, in particular, a construction of the module of p-adic L-functions via the arithmetic theory and a conjectural definition of the p-adic L-function via its special values."--BOOK JACKET.