Fundamental groups and covering spaces

Elon Lages Lima1568811314, 9781568811314

This book describes fundamental groups and their topological soulmates, the covering spaces. An accomplished example of the algebraic topologist’s dream come true, covering spaces are a geometric (that is, topological) structure that is completely characterized by its algebraic counterpart.
The author provides several illustrative examples that touch upon different areas of mathematics, but in keeping with the book’s introductory aim, they are all quite elementary. Basic concepts are clearly defined, proofs are complete, and no results from the exercises are assumed in the text.