On Thom Spectra, Orientability, and Cobordism

For many years, algebraic topology rests on three legs: 'ordinary' cohomology, K-theory, and cobordism. This book focuses on the subject of cobordism, Thom spaces (spectra), orientability theory and (co)bordism theory (including (co)bordism with singularities and, in particular, Morava K-theories), framed by (co)homology theories and spectra. For many years, algebraic topology rested on three legs: "ordinary" cohomology, K-theory, and cobordism. This book is the first guide in the subject of cobordism since R. Stong's encyclopaedic and influential notes of a generation ago. It concentrates on Thom spaces (spectra), orientability theory and (co)bordism theory (including (co)bordism with singularities and, in particular, Morava K-theories), framed by (co)homology theories and spectra. The author has also performed a service to the history of science in this book, giving detailed attributions. This same care makes the book easy to use by the student, for when proofs are not given, specific references are.