This is the first book to link the mod 2 Steenrod algebra, a classical object of study in algebraic topology, with modular representations of matrix groups over the field F of two elements. The link is provided through a detailed study of Peterson's `hit problem' concerning the action of the Steenrod algebra on polynomials, which remains unsolved except in special cases. The topics range from decompositions of integers as sums of 'powers of 2 minus 1', to Hopf algebras and the Steinberg representation of GL(n, F). Volume 1 develops the structure of the Steenrod algebra from an algebraic viewpoint and can be used as a graduate-level textbook. Volume 2 broadens the discussion to include modular representations of matrix groups.

This is the first book to link the mod 2 Steenrod algebra, a classical object of study in algebraic topology, with modular representations of matrix groups over the field F of two elements. The link is provided through a detailed study of Peterson's 'hit problem' concerning the action of the Steenrod algebra on polynomials, which remains unsolved except in special cases. The topics range from decompositions of integers as sums of 'powers of 2 minus 1', to Hopf algebras and the Steinberg representation of GL(n,F). Volume 1 develops the structure of the Steenrod algebra from an algebraic viewpoint and can be used as a graduate-level textbook. Volume 2 broadens the discussion to include modular representations of matrix groups.

J. Frank Adams had a profound influence on algebraic topology, and his works continue to shape its development. The International Symposium on Algebraic Topology held in Manchester during July 1990 was dedicated to his memory, and virtually all of the world's leading experts took part. This two volume work constitutes the proceedings of the symposium; the articles contained here range from overviews to reports of work still in progress, as well as a survey and complete bibliography of Adams' own work. These proceedings form an important compendium of current research in algebraic topology, and one that demonstrates the depth of Adams' many contributions to the subject. This second volume is oriented towards stable homotopy theory, the Steenrod algebra and the Adams spectral sequence. In the first volume the theme is mainly unstable homotopy theory, homological and categorical algebra.

J. Frank Adams had a profound influence on algebraic topology, and his works continue to shape its development. The International Symposium on Algebraic Topology held in Manchester during July 1990 was dedicated to his memory, and virtually all of the world's leading experts took part. This two volume work constitutes the proceedings of the symposium; the articles contained here range from overviews to reports of work still in progress, as well as a survey and complete bibliography of Adams' own work. These proceedings form an important compendium of current research in algebraic topology, and one that demonstrates the depth of Adams' many contributions to the subject. Here in the first volume the theme is mainly unstable homotopy theory, homological and categorical algebra. The second volume is oriented towards stable homotopy theory, the Steenrod algebra and the Adams spectral sequence.