Algebraic Topology [Paperback]

Robert M. Switzer (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 3540427503 | ISBN-13: 978-3540427506 | Publication Date: February 26, 2002

From the reviews: "The author has attempted an ambitious and most commendable project. […] The book contains much material that has not previously appeared in this format. The writing is clean and clear and the exposition is well motivated. [...] This book is, all in all, a very admirable work and a valuable addition to the literature." Mathematical Reviews

Editorial Reviews

Review

From the reviews: "This book contains much impressive mathematics, namely the achievements by algebraic topologists in obtaining extensive information on the stable homotopy groups of spheres, and the computation of various cobordism groups. It is a long book, and for the major part a very advanced book. ... (It is) suitable for specialists, or for those who already know what algebraic topology is for, and want a guide to the principal methods of stable homotopy theory." R. Brown in Bulletin of the London Mathematical Society, 1980 "In the more than twenty five years since its first appearance, the book has met with favorable response, both in its use as a text and as reference. It is a good course which leads the reader systematically to the point at which he can begin to tackle problems in algebraic topology. … This book remains one of the best sources for the material which every young algebraic topologist should know." (Corina Mohorianu, Zentralblatt MATH, Vol. 1003 (3), 2003)

About the Author

Biography of Robert M. Switzer Robert M. Switzer was born in Tennessee (USA) in 1940. After majoring in mathematics at Harvard College, he completed his PhD at Stanford University in 1965. He spent 5 years as lecturer at the University of Manchester, England, and then moved to Goettingen, Germany, where he has been Professor of Mathematics since 1973. In the early 1980s his research concentrated on obstruction theory in connection with holomorphic bundles on projective spaces. In 1984 he switched his attention to Computer Science and has been teaching and working in that field ever since.

Product Details

• Paperback: 542 pages
• Publisher: Springer (February 26, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 3540427503
• ISBN-13: 978-3540427506
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #816,596 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This might take a while..., June 9, 2002

By 

Alex "supermanifold" (MTL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Algebraic Topology (Paperback)

The earlier chapters are quite good; however, some of the advanced topics in this book are better approached (appreciated) after one has learned about them elsewhere, at a more leisurely pace. For instance, this isn't the best place to first read about characteristic classes and topological K theory (I would recommend, without much hesitation, the books by Atiyah and Milnor & Stasheff, instead). Much to my disappointment, the chapter on spectral sequences is quite convoluted. Parts of 'user's guide' by Mcleary would certainly come in handy here (which sets the stage rather nicely for applications).

So it turns out that supplemental reading (exluding Whitehead's massive treatise) is necessary to achieve a better understanding of algebraic topology at the level of this book. The homotopical view therein will be matched (possibly superseded) by Aguilar's book (forthcoming, to which I am very much looking forward).

Good luck!