Introduction to Combinatorial Torsions

This book is an introduction to combinatorial torsions of cellular spa ces and manifolds with special emphasis on torsions of 3-dimensional m anifolds. The first two chapters cover algebraic foundations of the th eory of torsions and various topological constructions of torsions due to K. Reidemeister, J.H.C. Whitehead, J. Milnor and the author. We al so discuss connections between the torsions and the Alexander polynomi als of links and 3-manifolds. The third (and last) chapter of the book...