Hajime Sato, Algebraic Topology: An Intuitive Approach

This book is insane. It goes from nothing to spectral sequences and Chern classes in under 100 pages. 

(via perversesheaf)

ogingat said: Really from nothing?

Yes. From the Preface to the English Translation:

Since the publication of the original version of this book in 1996, several of my friends (including the translator) have complained that the gap between my claim that no previous knowledge of mathematics is required… and the actual contents of the book is too big. So I have provided the reader who has no knowledge of sets, topology, groups, etc. with a basic minimal list of definitions and results together with readable references. This is in the Appendix at the end of the book. This does not real change my original view that the book is readable for anybody who wishes to find out about algebraic topology. I think that technical terms help both the reader and the author organize their thoughts, but they will not do much good unless both the reader and the author have “good vibes” about the subject. I have also used the book for my topology seminar (for seniors) and came to see that the reading got a little rough toward the end of the book. This is all right too, since it simply shows that good vibes alone cannot conquer everything; however, I have modified some of those troublesome spots, filling in missing links and so on.

(via perversesheaf)

I have a PDF of this.

I am scared to read it. 

(via shadowpeoplearejerks)

I Googled this and downloaded a PDF.  Looks at least worth a try!