Wednesday, 21 August 2013

Book recommendation for Algebraic Topology

Book recommendation for Algebraic Topology

Allen Hatcher's book 'Algebraic Topology' is strongly recommended by
several while not liked so much by some others. Why so ? I wish to study
Algebraic Topology and want to choose between Spanier, James Vick(Homology
Theory) and Hatcher. Please advise. If I am not wrong the approach Hatcher
takes is more geometric while the other two books take a category
theoretic approach. In view of this,should one study Hatcher at some point
even if one is planning to study Vick's book ? or Hatcher's chapter on
homology would be a subset of what is covered in Vick? Should I prefer
Vick over Spanier as the latter may be too detailed and more like a
reference book ?

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