Introduction to Combinatorial Torsions (Paperback)

~ Vladimir Turaev (Author) "Let F be a field and let D be a finite-dimensional vector space over F..." (more)
Key Phrases: maximal abelian torsion, refined torsions, based chain complex, Topological Theory of Torsions (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"[The book] contains much of the needed background material in topology and algebra…Concering the considerable material it covers, [the book] is very well-written and readable."

--Zentralblatt Math

Product Description

An introduction to combinatorial torsions of cellular spaces and manifolds with special emphasis on torsions of 3-dimensional manifolds. Gives a construction of the multivariable Conway polynomial of links in homology 3-spheres as an example application. For advanced students, physicists, and mathematicians. Softcover. DLC: Manifolds (Mathematics).

Product Details

• Paperback: 123 pages
• Publisher: Birkhäuser Basel; 1 edition (March 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 3764364033
• ISBN-13: 978-3764364038
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #3,199,186 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book, August 17, 2001

By	hqvn "hqvn" (NY, United States) - See all my reviews

This short book is a good place to start learning about the theory of Reidemeister torsions. Masterfully written by one of the leading experts on the subject, it follows the standard of exposition set by Milnor in his famous survey on this subject 40 years ago. The book is very easy to read, the necessary background is covered economically, but in details. You can find here many results that received the first treatment in book form and some classical results with illuminating explainations. The last chapter briefly indicates recent developments in connection with Seiberg-Witten invariants of 3-manifolds.

The book is mainly an introduction and concerns mostly with combinatorial manifolds and knot theory. As the author stated, many other aspects of the theory (e.g. the analytical theory) are left out.