Hans-Joachim Baues - Böcker

Research mathematicians in algebraic topology will be interested in this new attempt to classify homotopy types of simply connected CW-complexes. This book provides a modern treatment of a long established set of questions in algebraic topology. The author is a leading figure in this important research area.

This book gives a general outlook on homotopy theory; fundamental concepts, such as homotopy groups and spectral sequences, are developed from a few axioms and are thus available in a broad variety of contexts. Many examples and applications in topology and algebra are discussed, including an introduction to rational homotopy theory in terms of both differential Lie algebras and De Rham algebras. The author describes powerful tools for homotopy classification problems, particularly for the classification of homotopy types and for the computation of the group homotopy equivalences. Applications and examples of such computations are given, including when the fundamental group is non-trivial. Moreover, the deep connection between the homotopy classification problems and the cohomology theory of small categories is demonstrated. The prerequisites of the book are few: elementary topology and algebra. Consequently, this account will be valuable for non-specialists and experts alike. It is an important supplement to the standard presentations of algebraic topology, homotopy theory, category theory and homological algebra.

A fundamental problem of algebraic topology is the classification of homotopy types and homotopy classes of maps. In this work the author extends results of rational homotopy theory to a subring of the rationale. The methods of proof employ classical commutator calculus of nilpotent group and Lie algebra theory and rely on an extensive and systematic study of the algebraic properties of the classical homotopy operations (composition and addition of maps, smash products, Whitehead products and higher order James-Hopi invariants). The account is essentially self-contained and should be accessible to non-specialists and graduate students with some background in algebraic topology and homotopy theory.

This book gives a general outlook on homotopy theory; fundamental concepts, such as homotopy groups and spectral sequences, are developed from a few axioms and are thus available in a broad variety of contexts. Many examples and applications in topology and algebra are discussed, including an introduction to rational homotopy theory in terms of both differential Lie algebras and De Rham algebras. The author describes powerful tools for homotopy classification problems, particularly for the classification of homotopy types and for the computation of the group homotopy equivalences. Applications and examples of such computations are given, including when the fundamental group is non-trivial. Moreover, the deep connection between the homotopy classification problems and the cohomology theory of small categories is demonstrated. The prerequisites of the book are few: elementary topology and algebra. Consequently, this account will be valuable for non-specialists and experts alike. It is an important supplement to the standard presentations of algebraic topology, homotopy theory, category theory and homological algebra.

The homotopy type of a closed simply connected 4-manifold is determined by the intersection form. The homotopy classes of maps between two such manifolds, however, do not coincide with the algebraic morphisms between intersection forms. Therefore the problem arises of computing the homotopy classes of maps algebraically and determining the law of composition for such maps. This problem is solved in the book by introducing new algebraic models of a 4-manifold. The book has been written to appeal to both established researchers in the field and graduate students interested in topology and algebra. There are many references to the literature for those interested in further reading.

No detailed description available for "Combinatorial Homotopy and 4-Dimensional Complexes".

In this book we consider deep and classical results of homotopy theory like the homological Whitehead theorem, the Hurewicz theorem, the finiteness obstruction theorem of Wall, the theorems on Whitehead torsion and simple homotopy equivalences, and we characterize axiomatically the assumptions under which such results hold. This leads to a new combinatorial foundation of homology and homotopy. Numerous explicit examples and applications in various fields of topology and algebra are given.

In this book we consider deep and classical results of homotopy theory like the homological Whitehead theorem, the Hurewicz theorem, the finiteness obstruction theorem of Wall, the theorems on Whitehead torsion and simple homotopy equivalences, and we characterize axiomatically the assumptions under which such results hold. This leads to a new combinatorial foundation of homology and homotopy. Numerous explicit examples and applications in various fields of topology and algebra are given.