Topology (Dover Books on Mathematics) [Paperback]

John G. Hocking (Author), Gail S. Young (Author), Mathematics (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1988 | ISBN-10: 0486656764 | ISBN-13: 978-0486656762

Superb one-year course in classical topology. Topological spaces and functions, point-set topology, much more. Examples and problems. Bibliography. Index.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications (June 1, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486656764
• ISBN-13: 978-0486656762
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #550,899 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Professional Topologist loves this book., December 5, 2001

By 

Joseph Borrego (Leverett, MA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Topology (Dover Books on Mathematics) (Paperback)

When I was a graduate student 40 years ago there were very few texts in topology. The only two that I recall being in use were Hocking and Young and the book by Kelley. Over the years my copy of Hocking and Young has become quite worn. It is a wonderful book that gives the true flavor of topology. It is also contains a large number of topics that one can refer to later on. It becomes quite apparent very earlier that no one will be able to fully appreciate the book in the time span of one course. It is a book that must be read and reread over and over again. It is a real classic. I do not believe that it is the type of book that would be of much or any general interest but to a point set topologist it is a classic and must for his bookself. I am quite surprised over its low price. I can not help but compare it with the newer book by Munkres. I recall seeing Munkres book many years ago and disliking it. But the current edition seems much closer in flavor to HY and Munkres book is quite good. Munkres style is much clearer than HY, but both books target a very specialized group of people. Neither book is for the faint of heart and will take many years to absorb. Considering that Munkres book is 9 times as expensive as HY, HY seems to be the better buy.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Impressed, May 3, 2005

By 

Byron W. Campen (Dallas, TX) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Topology (Dover Books on Mathematics) (Paperback)

I am teaching myself topology with this book right now, and I must say it has an excellent balance of motivation and rigor. The very first definition in the book reveals the implications of topology to anyone who has studied limit pts (and how connectedness is defined in terms of same). After less than a week of study, I understood the big picture better than most people I know who have taken a full course. The exercises are a little sparse, perhaps, but they generally make up for their small number with increased difficulty. I have only encountered a few exercises that I could call trivial. My only gripe is that the exercises are sometimes a little tricky to find.

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Quite good for self-study, December 5, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Topology (Dover Books on Mathematics) (Paperback)

Hocking's book on point-set and algebraic topology is better suited for self-study than any other books covering these subjects that I have read. Any student who has taken one or two analysis/algebra courses might give it a try.