A comprehensive, self-contained approach to global equivariant homotopy theory, with many detailed examples and sample calculations.

A complete and definitive account of the authors' resolution of the Kervaire invariant problem in stable homotopy theory.

This volume introduces equivariant homotopy, homology, and cohomology theory, along with various related topics in modern algebraic topology. It explains the main ideas behind some of the most striking recent advances in the subject. The works begins with a development of the equivariant algebraic topology of spaces culminating in a discussion of the Sullivan conjecture that emphasizes its relationship with classical Smith theory. The book then introduces equivariant stable homotopy theory, the equivariant stable homotopy category, and the most important examples of equivariant cohomology theories. The basic machinery that is needed to make serious use of equivariant stable homotopy theory is presented next, along with discussions of the Segal conjecture and generalized Tate cohomology. Finally, the book gives an introduction to "brave new algebra", the study of point-set level algebraic structures on spectra and its equivariant applications. Emphasis is placed on equivariant complex cobordism, and related results on that topic are presented in detail.

Equivariant homotopy theory started from geometrically motivated questions about symmetries of manifolds. Several important equivariant phenomena occur not just for a particular group, but in a uniform way for all groups. Prominent examples include stable homotopy, K-theory or bordism. Global equivariant homotopy theory studies such uniform phenomena, i.e. universal symmetries encoded by simultaneous and compatible actions of all compact Lie groups. This book introduces graduate students and researchers to global equivariant homotopy theory. The framework is based on the new notion of global equivalences for orthogonal spectra, a much finer notion of equivalence than is traditionally considered. The treatment is largely self-contained and contains many examples, making it suitable as a textbook for an advanced graduate class. At the same time, the book is a comprehensive research monograph with detailed calculations that reveal the intrinsic beauty of global equivariant phenomena.

This book is a foundational piece of work in stable homotopy theory and in the theory of transformation groups. It may be roughly divided into two parts. The first part deals with foundations of (equivariant) stable homotopy theory. A workable category of CW-spectra is developed. The foundations are such that an action of a compact Lie group is considered throughout, and spectra allow desuspension by arbitrary representations. But even if the reader forgets about group actions, he will find many details of the theory worked out for the first time. More subtle constructions like smash products, function spectra, change of group isomorphisms, fixed point and orbit spectra are treated. While it is impossible to survey properly the material which is covered in the book, it does boast these general features: (i) a thorough and reliable presentation of the foundations of the theory; (ii) a large number of basic results, principal applications, and fundamental techniques presented for the first time in a coherent theory, unifying numerous treatments of special cases in the literature.

The last few years have seen a revolution in our understanding of the foundations of stable homotopy theory. Many symmetric monoidal model categories of spectra whose homotopy categories are equivalent to the stable homotopy category are now known, whereas no such categories were known before 1993. The most well-known examples are the category of $S$-modules and the category of symmetric spectra. We focus on the category of orthogonal spectra, which enjoys some of the best features of $S$-modules and symmetric spectra and which is particularly well-suited to equivariant generalization. We first complete the nonequivariant theory by comparing orthogonal spectra to $S$-modules. We then develop the equivariant theory. For a compact Lie group $G$, we construct a symmetric monoidal model category of orthogonal $G$-spectra whose homotopy category is equivalent to the classical stable homotopy category of $G$-spectra. We also complete the theory of $S_G$-modules and compare the categories of orthogonal $G$-spectra and $S_G$-modules. A key feature is the analysis of change of universe, change of group, fixed point, and orbit functors in these two highly structured categories for the study of equivariant stable homotopy theory.

Eleven of the fourteen invited speakers at a symposium held by the Oxford Mathematical Institute in June 1972 have revised their contributions and submitted them for publication in this volume. The present papers do not necessarily closely correspond with the original talks, as it was the intention of the volume editor to make this book of mathematical rather than historical interest. The contributions will be of value to workers in topology in universities and polytechnics.