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.

Riemannian Topology and Structures on Manifolds results from a similarly entitled conference held on the occasion of Charles P. Boyer s 65th birthday. The various contributions to this volume discuss recent advances in the areas of positive sectional curvature, Kahler and Sasakian geometry, and their interrelation to mathematical physics, especially M and superstring theory. Focusing on these fundamental ideas, this collection presents review articles, original results, and open problems of interest. "