Noncommutative localization is a powerful algebraic technique for constructing new rings by inverting elements, matrices and more generally morphisms of modules. Originally conceived by algebraists (notably P. M. Cohn), it is now an important tool not only in pure algebra but also in the topology of non-simply-connected spaces, algebraic geometry and noncommutative geometry. This volume consists of 9 articles on noncommutative localization in algebra and topology by J. A. Beachy, P. M. Cohn, W. G. Dwyer, P. A. Linnell, A. Neeman, A. A. Ranicki, H. Reich, D. Sheiham and Z. Skoda. The articles include basic definitions, surveys, historical background and applications, as well as presenting new results. The book is an introduction to the subject, an account of the state of the art, and also provides many references for further material. It is suitable for graduate students and more advanced researchers in both algebra and topology.

Noncommutative Geometry is one of the most deep and vital research subjects of present-day Mathematics. Its development, mainly due to Alain Connes, is providing an increasing number of applications and deeper insights for instance in Foliations, K-Theory, Index Theory, Number Theory but also in Quantum Physics of elementary particles. The purpose of the Summer School in Martina Franca was to offer a fresh invitation to the subject and closely related topics; the contributions in this volume include the four main lectures, cover advanced developments and are delivered by prominent specialists.

With firm foundations dating only from the 1950s, algebraic topology is a relatively young area of mathematics. There are very few textbooks that treat fundamental topics beyond a first course, and many topics now essential to the field are not treated in any textbook. J. Peter May’s A Concise Course in Algebraic Topology addresses the standard first course material, such as fundamental groups, covering spaces, the basics of homotopy theory, and homology and cohomology. In this sequel, May and his coauthor, Kathleen Ponto, cover topics that are essential for algebraic topologists and others interested in algebraic topology, but that are not treated in standard texts. They focus on the localization and completion of topological spaces, model categories, and Hopf algebras. The first half of the book sets out the basic theory of localization and completion of nilpotent spaces, using the most elementary treatment the authors know of. It makes no use of simplicial techniques or model categories, and it provides full details of other necessary preliminaries. With these topics as motivation, most of the second half of the book sets out the theory of model categories, which is the central organizing framework for homotopical algebra in general. Examples from topology and homological algebra are treated in parallel. A short last part develops the basic theory of bialgebras and Hopf algebras.

This is a comprehensive review of commutative algebra, from localization and primary decomposition through dimension theory, homological methods, free resolutions and duality, emphasizing the origins of the ideas and their connections with other parts of mathematics. The book gives a concise treatment of Grobner basis theory and the constructive methods in commutative algebra and algebraic geometry that flow from it. Many exercises included.

The seminal ‘MIT notes’ of Dennis Sullivan were issued in June 1970 and were widely circulated at the time. The notes had a - jor in?uence on the development of both algebraic and geometric topology, pioneering the localization and completion of spaces in homotopy theory, including p-local, pro?nite and rational homotopy theory, le- ing to the solution of the Adams conjecture on the relationship between vector bundles and spherical ?brations, the formulation of the ‘Sullivan conjecture’ on the contractibility of the space of maps from the classifying space of a ?nite group to a ?nite dimensional CW complex, theactionoftheGalois groupoverQofthealgebraicclosureQof Q on smooth manifold structures in pro?nite homotopy theory, the K-theory orientation ofPL manifolds and bundles. Some of this material has been already published by Sullivan him- 1 self: in an article in the Proceedings of the 1970 Nice ICM, and in the 1974 Annals of Mathematics papers Genetics of homotopy theory and the Adams conjecture and The transversality character- 2 istic class and linking cycles in surgery theory . Many of the ideas originating in the notes have been the starting point of subsequent 1 reprinted at the end of this volume 2 joint with John Morgan vii viii 3 developments . However, the text itself retains a unique ?avour of its time, and of the range of Sullivan’s ideas.

Algebraic topology is a basic part of modern mathematics, and some knowledge of this area is indispensable for any advanced work relating to geometry, including topology itself, differential geometry, algebraic geometry, and Lie groups. This book provides a detailed treatment of algebraic topology both for teachers of the subject and for advanced graduate students in mathematics either specializing in this area or continuing on to other fields. J. Peter May's approach reflects the enormous internal developments within algebraic topology over the past several decades, most of which are largely unknown to mathematicians in other fields. But he also retains the classical presentations of various topics where appropriate. Most chapters end with problems that further explore and refine the concepts presented. The final four chapters provide sketches of substantial areas of algebraic topology that are normally omitted from introductory texts, and the book concludes with a list of suggested readings for those interested in delving further into the field.