Topology and Geometry (Graduate Texts in Mathematics, 139)

I actually did not like this book as a first year grad student. The treatment of general topology is sufficient, but not the best (the author doesn't make any claims that it is either). I think this is a good book for those that are interested in getting into topology and also want to understand the relationship between topology and differential geometry. My research is starting to move in the direction of symplectic geometry and this book has been a great source for understanding differential geometry for a topologist. The treatment of DeRham cohomology, products, and duality are good. Bredon gives the reader just enough information to proceed in proofs, so this book is quite an exercise and forces the reader to understand what is going on-I really like that aspect of the author's style.Overall, a good book.

Great!

Wide background in a lot of algebra and analysis is required just to make sense of the first chapters. More of a reference than a text.

perfect!

It was a gift and was perfect for this person.

good

While I agree with reviewers generally that this is a good book, i should warn that bredon isnt for the faint of heart. He makes use of simple language from category theory, doesnt always completely introduce his discussions (see for example the chapter on the tangent bundle where tangent bundle is never defined), and some other things that are nuisances to the newcomer.I do think this is a good modern readable textbook, but for the student who has a solid foundation in mathematics. I didnt find it as accessable as other topology books, say Hatcher or Lee's books (but lee's are not as complete).

If you want to learn topology, this book is the place. Though this text can require some maturity, the range of topics and the clarity of exposition are outstanding. My only complaint is that an additional appendix covering the basics of category theory would have been quite useful. Bredon not infrequently uses the language of category theory (though always in a non-essential way). Since this text is aimed at 1st year graduate students, I think the tacit assumption that the student has already encountered these topics is not justified. That such a minor point is my chief complaint speaks volumes of my esteem for this text.

With the help of this book I've understood many subiects I never understood before! Thanks to the autor for his present !!