Best Topology Books of 2025

Wilson Cook Avatar
Wilson Cook
Last Updated: May 11, 2023

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Topology is a fascinating branch of mathematics that deals with the study of shapes and spaces. For those looking to learn more about this subject, there are several great topology books available. These books cover a range of topics, from basic topology concepts to more advanced theories and applications. Some of the most popular topology books include "Topology" by James R. Munkres, "Introduction to Topology: Pure and Applied" by Colin Adams and Robert Franzosa, and "Algebraic Topology" by Allen Hatcher. Whether you're a student or a professional mathematician, these topology books are sure to provide valuable insights and knowledge.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Visual Complex Analysis: 25th Anniversary Edition Cover #TOP 1
Visual Complex Analysis: 25th Anniversary Edition
ftb score rating icon 9.9
Visual Differential Geometry and Forms: A Mathematical Drama in Five Acts Cover #TOP 2
Visual Differential Geometry and Forms: A Mathematical Drama in Five Acts
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Introduction to Smooth Manifolds (Graduate Texts in Mathematics, Vol. 218) Cover #TOP 3
Introduction to Smooth Manifolds (Graduate Texts in Mathematics, Vol. 218)
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Topology Books

Visual Complex Analysis: 25th Anniversary Edition

Needham, Tristan
Penrose, Roger
Feb 28, 2023
Visual Complex Analysis: 25th Anniversary Edition Cover
Visual Complex Analysis: 25th Anniversary Edition

The 25th Anniversary Edition of Visual Complex Analysis by Tristan Needham is a must-read for anyone interested in mathematics. The book uses geometry instead of calculation to explain complex analysis, making it a refreshing and intuitive approach to the subject. With the addition of brand-new captions that explain the geometrical reasoning behind the 501 diagrams, this edition is even more accessible than the original. Sir Roger Penrose's Foreword adds to the book's credibility. Overall, Visual Complex Analysis is a beautiful and insightful book that should be on every math enthusiast's bookshelf.

Visual Differential Geometry and Forms: A Mathematical Drama in Five Acts

Needham, Tristan
Princeton University Press
Jul 13, 2021
Visual Differential Geometry and Forms: A Mathematical Drama in Five Acts Cover
Visual Differential Geometry and Forms: A Mathematical Drama in Five Acts

Visual Differential Geometry and Forms: A Mathematical Drama in Five Acts by Tristan Needham is an exceptional book that offers an intuitive and visual exploration of differential geometry and forms. The book fulfills two principal goals: putting the geometry back into differential geometry and offering the first undergraduate introduction to differential forms that treats advanced topics in an intuitive and geometrical manner. The author deploys Newton's geometrical methods to provide geometrical explanations of the classical results, making it easy to understand. Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in mathematics and its applications.

Introduction to Smooth Manifolds (Graduate Texts in Mathematics, Vol. 218)

Lee, John
Springer
Aug 26, 2012
Introduction to Smooth Manifolds (Graduate Texts in Mathematics, Vol. 218) Cover
Introduction to Smooth Manifolds (Graduate Texts in Mathematics, Vol. 218)

This graduate-level textbook on the theory of smooth manifolds provides an excellent introduction to the subject. The book covers a wide range of topics including smooth structures, tangent vectors, vector bundles, tensors, differential forms, Lie groups, Lie algebras, and more. The author uses a concrete approach with intuitive discussions and pictures to help readers understand abstract concepts. The second edition has been revised and reorganized, with new topics added. The book is a great resource for differential geometers and anyone interested in using manifolds in mathematical or scientific research.

#TOP 4

Algebraic Topology

Hatcher, Allen
Cambridge University Press
Dec 3, 2001

This book is an introductory text on algebraic topology that covers a broad range of topics suitable for both a course or self-study. The author emphasizes the geometric aspects of the subject, making it easier for students to gain intuition. Additionally, the book includes many optional topics that are not typically covered in a first course due to time constraints. These topics include Bockstein and transfer homomorphisms, direct and inverse limits, H spaces and Hopf algebras, the Brown representability theorem, the James reduced product, the Dold Thom theorem, and Steenrod squares and powers. Overall, this book is a highly recommended addition to any algebraic geometry book collection.

#TOP 5

Introduction to Topology: Third Edition (Dover Books on Mathematics)

Mendelson, Bert
Dover Publications
Jul 1, 1990
Introduction to Topology: Third Edition (Dover Books on Mathematics) Cover
Introduction to Topology: Third Edition (Dover Books on Mathematics)

The book "Introduction to Topology: Third Edition" is a concise yet comprehensive guide to the fundamentals of topology. It is an excellent resource for undergraduate students who have studied calculus and are familiar with definitions and proofs of theorems. The book covers topics such as set theory, metric spaces, and topological spaces, and also includes discussions on connectedness and compactness. The author, a former Professor of Mathematics at Smith College, has included challenging exercises to help students grasp the material presented. Overall, this book is highly recommended for anyone interested in topology and its applications.

An Introduction to Manifolds (Universitext)

Tu, Loring W.
Springer
Oct 6, 2010
An Introduction to Manifolds (Universitext) Cover
An Introduction to Manifolds (Universitext)

The "Introduction to Manifolds" is a concise and accessible introduction to manifolds, which are higher-dimensional analogs of smooth curves and surfaces, and fundamental objects in modern mathematics. The author presents the theory of manifolds with the aim of helping the reader achieve a rapid mastery of the essential topics. This book is an excellent foundation for further study of geometry and topology. The text also contains many exercises, making it ideal for self-study. Overall, this book is highly recommended for graduate or advanced undergraduate students with minimal prerequisites in analysis and algebra.

Lost in Math: How Beauty Leads Physics Astray

Hossenfelder, Sabine
Basic Books
Jun 2, 2020
Lost in Math: How Beauty Leads Physics Astray Cover
Lost in Math: How Beauty Leads Physics Astray

The book "Lost in Math: How Beauty Leads Physics Astray" by Sabine Hossenfelder explores the modern obsession of physicists with beauty and elegance in their theories. The author argues that this obsession has hindered scientific progress and led to untestable theories. The book provides a well-informed take on the current situation in fundamental physical theory while being self-aware, dosed with acerbic wit, and often quite funny. Overall, this book is a thought-provoking read that challenges the dogmatic belief in beauty and encourages physicists to rethink their methods and embrace reality to discover the truth.

#TOP 8

Topology (Classic Version) (Pearson Modern Classics for Advanced Mathematics Series)

Munkres, James
Pearson
Mar 10, 2017
Topology (Classic Version) (Pearson Modern Classics for Advanced Mathematics Series) Cover
Topology (Classic Version) (Pearson Modern Classics for Advanced Mathematics Series)

Topology (Classic Version) (Pearson Modern Classics for Advanced Mathematics Series) is a comprehensive book that provides instructors with a single text resource for bridging between general and algebraic topology courses. The book is divided into two sections, one on general point set topology and the other on algebraic topology, each suitable for a one-semester course and based on the same set of basic core topics. The book also offers optional independent topics and applications that can be studied and developed in depth based on course needs and preferences. This book is an excellent resource for educators and students alike looking for a comprehensive guide to topology.

#TOP 9

Topological Data Analysis with Applications

Carlsson, Gunnar
Vejdemo-Johansson, Mikael
Mar 24, 2022
Topological Data Analysis with Applications Cover
Topological Data Analysis with Applications

This book, Topological Data Analysis with Applications, introduces the method of topological data analysis (TDA) for modeling and analyzing large datasets. The authors provide a comprehensive overview of the main TDA techniques, including persistent homology, cohomology, and Mapper, and offer diverse case studies to examine the applications of TDA in infectious disease progression monitoring and motion capture data study. The book is suitable for mathematicians moving into data science, data scientists, and computer scientists seeking to understand this new area. This self-contained resource explains the underlying technology and how it can be used. Overall, this book is a great resource for anyone interested in TDA and its applications.

#TOP 10

Letter Tracing Book for kids ages 3-5: Trace letters alphabet handwriting practice workbook for kids kindergarten / Big tracing letter and coloring ... Tracing and coloring book for kids ages 3-7)

book, tracing alphabet
Apr 23, 2020
Letter Tracing Book for kids ages 3-5: Trace letters alphabet handwriting practice workbook for kids kindergarten / Big tracing letter and coloring ... Tracing and coloring book for kids ages 3-7) Cover
Letter Tracing Book for kids ages 3-5: Trace letters alphabet handwriting practice workbook for kids kindergarten / Big tracing letter and coloring ... Tracing and coloring book for kids ages 3-7)

The Letter Tracing Book for Kids Ages 3-5 is an excellent resource for parents who want to help their children learn how to write letters, words, and numbers. With 110 pages of simple and cute illustrations, the book is designed to help children develop their creativity and logical skills. The book is divided into five parts, each guiding the child through different stages of their writing development. The activities are engaging and fun, with coloring pages and pictures to help the child learn and remember what they have learned. The premium matte cover design and high-quality printing make this book a great gift for kids of all ages. Overall, this book is an excellent tool for parents who want to help their children improve their handwriting skills.

Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What do you study in topology?

Topology studies properties of spaces that are invariant under any continuous deformation. It is sometimes called "rubber-sheet geometry" because the objects can be stretched and contracted like rubber, but cannot be broken. For example, a square can be deformed into a circle without breaking it, but a figure 8 cannot.

2. Is topology hard to learn?

Algebraic topology, by it's very nature,is not an easy subject because it's really an uneven mixture of algebra and topology unlike any other subject you've seen before. However,how difficult it can be to me depends on how you present algebraic topology and the chosen level of abstraction.

3. What branch of math is topology?

topology, branch of mathematics, sometimes referred to as “rubber sheet geometry,” in which two objects are considered equivalent if they can be continuously deformed into one another through such motions in space as bending, twisting, stretching, and shrinking while disallowing tearing apart or gluing together parts.

4. Who is the father of topology?

Mathematicians associate the emergence of topology as a distinct field of mathematics with the 1895 publication of Analysis Situs by the Frenchman Henri Poincaré, although many topological ideas had found their way into mathematics during the previous century and a half.

Editor's Notes

During our topology book research, we found 1,000+ topology book products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 6,526 customer reviews through our big data system to write the topology books list. We found that most customers choose topology books with an average price of $28.89.

Written by
Wilson Cook Avatar

Wilson Cook is a talented writer who has an MFA in creative writing from Williams College and has published more than 50 books acquired by hundreds of thousands of people from various countries by now. He is an inveterate reading lover as he has read a vast amount of books since childhood.