This highly readable text details the interaction between the mathematical theory of knots and the theories of surfaces and group presentations. It expertly introduces several topics critical to the development of pure mathematics while providing an account of math "in action" in an unusual context. Beginning with a simple diagrammatic approach to the study of knots that reflects the artistic and geometric appeal of interlaced forms, Knots and Surfaces takes the reader through recent research advances. Topics include topological spaces, surfaces, the fundamental group, graphs, free groups,...

The papers in this book represent the current state of knowledge in group theory. It includes articles of current interest written by such scholars as S.M. Gersten, R.I. Grigorchuk, P.H. Kropholler, A. Lubotsky, A.A. Razborov and E. Zelmanov. The contributed articles, all refereed, cover a wide range of topics in combinatorial and geometric group theory. The volume will be indispensable to all researchers in the area.