Groups with a root group datum. (Q1959039)

The authors give an introduction to groups with group root data. These include all groups with Lie-type and of Kac-Moody-type. The historical overview serves as an excellent guide to the existing literature on the subject. A well readable account of root datum and groups with root data follows. The authors develop the theory and explain the relation between various concepts that one finds in the literature. Some of the chapter headings are: Kac-Moody theory; Root group data, buildings and BN-pairs; First structure results from actions on buildings; Group topology; Simplicity results; Curtis-Tits type presentations and existence results.