4-Manifolds and Kirby Calculus (Graduate Studies in Mathematics)
"This book gives an excellent introduction into the theory of $4$-manifolds and can be strongly recommended to beginners in this field ... carefully and clearly written; the authors have evidently paid great attention to the presentation of the material ... contains many really pretty and interesting examples and a great number of exercises; the final chapter is then devoted to solutions of some of these ... this type of presentation makes the subject more attractive and its study easier." ---- European Mathematical Society Newsletter"A complete record of the folklore related to handle calculus ... All of the mathematical statements are given in absolutely precise language, and the notation and terminology used are well chosen ... a very comprehensive book ... Most low-dimensional topologists will want to have access to this as a reference book ... any student ... will be rewarded with a thorough understanding of this fascinating field." ---- Bulletin of the AMS"The book under review introduces the current state of 4-manifold topology; it is almost unique in that it does so from the point of view of differential topology. Part I of the book ... would be priceless for algebraic geometers and gauge theorists who want to learn the topological aspects of the theory. Part II ... is essentially independent of Part I and would make for an excellent graduate text on its own." ---- Mathematical Reviews