In the new edition, supplements, additional explanations and cross references
have been added at numerous places, including new formulations of the problems. Figures have been redrawn and the layout has been improved. In all
these additions I have intended not to change the compact character of the
book. The proofs were read by E. Bauer, E. Marquard–Schmitt and T. Wollenweber. It was a pleasure to work with Dr. R. Hilton, in order to convey
the spirit and the subtleties of the German text into the English translation.
Also, I wish to thank Prof. U. T¨auber for occasional advice. Special thanks
go to them and to Mrs. J¨org-M¨uller for general supervision. I would like to
thank all colleagues and students who have made suggestions to improve the
book, as well as the publisher, Dr. Thorsten Schneider and Mrs. J. Lenz for
the excellent cooperation