This book is an extensive monograph on Sasakian manifolds , focusing on the intricate relationship between Kahler and Sasakian geometries. The subject is introduced by discussion of several background topics, including the theory of Riemannian foliations, compact complex and Kahler orbifolds, and the existence and and obstruction theory of Kahler-Einstein metrics on complex compact orbifolds. There is then a discussion of contact and almost contact structures in the Riemannian setting, in which compact quasi-regular Sasakian manifolds emerge as algebraic objects. There is an extensive discussion of the symmetries of Sasakian manifolds, leading to a study of Sasakian structures on links of isolated hypersurface singularities. This is followed by an in-depth study of compact sasakian manifolds in dimensions three and five. The final section of the book deals with the existence of Sasaki-Einstein metrics. 3-Sasakian manifolds and the role of sasakian-Einstein geometry in String Theory are discussed separately.

French drama directed by Max Ophuls and based on the novel by Louise de Vilmorin. The film revolves around an 18th century Countess named Louise (Danielle Darrieux) who sells off the earrings given to her as a wedding gift from her officer husband in order to clear some debts. This action sets in motion a number of events that jeopardise her social position and threaten to destroy her marriage while the earrings pass through several hands, travelling as far as Constantinople before coming full circle and returning to Paris and Louise in the possession of Baron Donati (Vittorio De Sica).