In the past fifteen years, the theory of right-angled Artin groups and special cube complexes has emerged as a central topic in geometric group theory. This monograph provides an account of this theory, along with other modern techniques in geometric group theory. Structured around the theme of group actions on contractible polyhedra, this book explores two prominent methods for constructing such actions: utilizing the group of deck transformations of the universal cover of a nonpositively curved polyhedron and leveraging the theory of simple complexes of groups. The book presents various approaches to obtaining cubical examples through CAT(0) cube complexes, including the polyhedral product construction, hyperbolization procedures, and the Sageev construction. Moreover, it offers a unified presentation of important non-cubical examples, such as Coxeter groups, Artin groups, and groups that act on buildings. Designed as a resource for graduate students and researchers specializing in geometric group theory, this book should also be of high interest to mathematicians in related areas, such as 3-manifolds.

Provides the first systematic study of geometry and topology of locally symmetric rank one manifolds and dynamics of discrete action of their fundamental groups. In addition to geometry and topology, this study involves several other areas of Mathematics – from algebra of varieties of groups representations and geometric group theory, to geometric analysis including classical questions from function theory.

Soviet mathematician Fomenko augments his technical books and papers with visual impressions of mathematical concepts, often reminiscent of Escher, and with allusions to Breughel and Durer. Over 80 reproductions, a few in color, are accompanied by the artist's explanation of the mathematical principles being suggested. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Volume 2 is divided into three parts: the first 'Surfaces' contains an article by Thurston on earthquakes and by Penner on traintracks. The second part is entitled 'Knots and 3-Manifolds' and the final part 'Kleinian Groups'.

Contains papers based on talks delivered at the AMS-IMS-SIAM Summer Research Conference on the Geometry of Group Representations, held at the University of Colorado in Boulder in July 1987. This work offers an understanding of the state of research in the geometry of group representations and their applications.

William Thurston's work has had a profound influence on mathematics. He connected whole mathematical subjects in entirely new ways and changed the way mathematicians think about geometry, topology, foliations, group theory, dynamical systems, and the way these areas interact. His emphasis on understanding and imagination in mathematical learning and thinking are integral elements of his distinctive legacy. This four-part collection brings together in one place Thurston's major writings, many of which are appearing in publication for the first time. Volumes I–III contain commentaries by the Editors. Volume IV includes a preface by Steven P. Kerckhoff. Volume IV contains Thurston's highly influential, though previously unpublished, 1977–78 Princeton Course Notes on the Geometry and Topology of 3-manifolds. It is an indispensable part of the Thurston collection but can also be used on its own as a textbook or for self-study.

For anyone whose interest lies in the interplay between groups and geometry, these books should be of interest.