The first edition of this book presented the theory of linear algebraic groups over an algebraically closed field. The second edition, thoroughly revised and expanded, extends the theory over arbitrary fields, which are not necessarily algebraically closed. It thus represents a higher aim. As in the first edition, the book includes a self-contained treatment of the prerequisites from algebraic geometry and commutative algebra, as well as basic results on reductive groups. As a result, the first part of the book can well serve as a text for an introductory graduate course on linear algebraic groups.

Originating from a summer school taught by the authors, this concise treatment includes many of the main results in the area. An introductory chapter describes the fundamental results on linear algebraic groups, culminating in the classification of semisimple groups. The second chapter introduces more specialized topics in the subgroup structure of semisimple groups and describes the classification of the maximal subgroups of the simple algebraic groups. The authors then systematically develop the subgroup structure of finite groups of Lie type as a consequence of the structural results on algebraic groups. This approach will help students to understand the relationship between these two classes of groups. The book covers many topics that are central to the subject, but missing from existing textbooks. The authors provide numerous instructive exercises and examples for those who are learning the subject as well as more advanced topics for research students working in related areas.

This revised, enlarged edition of Linear Algebraic Groups (1969) starts by presenting foundational material on algebraic groups, Lie algebras, transformation spaces, and quotient spaces. It then turns to solvable groups, general properties of linear algebraic groups, and Chevally’s structure theory of reductive groups over algebraically closed groundfields. It closes with a focus on rationality questions over non-algebraically closed fields.

* Brings together a wide variety of themes under a single unifying perspective The proceedings of a conference on Linear algebraic Groups and their Representations - the text gets to grips with the fundamental nature of this subject and its interaction with a wide variety of active areas in mathematics and physics.

James E. Humphreys is a distinguished Professor of Mathematics at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. He has previously held posts at the University of Oregon and New York University. His main research interests include group theory and Lie algebras, and this graduate level text is an exceptionally well-written introduction to everything about linear algebraic groups.

Comprehensive introduction to the theory of algebraic group schemes over fields, based on modern algebraic geometry, with few prerequisites.