No label defined (Q4392285)

This book provides a well-written introduction to torsion theories and demonstrates how classical ring theoretic results can be generalized to the torsion theory setting. This is done without the use of homological algebra or category theory; so the book is accessible to students with a minimal amount of training in algebra. This approach, however, makes the book much less encyclopedic than other books in the area, such as \textit{J. S. Golan}'s book [Torsion Theories, Pitman Monogr. Surv. 29 (1986; Zbl 0657.16017)], \textit{B. Stenström}'s book [Rings of Quotients, Springer (1975; Zbl 0296.16001)], or \textit{T. Albu} and \textit{C. Năstăsescu}'s book [Relative Finiteness in Module Theory, Marcel Dekker (1984; Zbl 0556.16001)]. On the other hand, it summarizes some topics, such as the relative density theorem and the relative version of Nakayama's Lemma, which are not found in these major books, and torsionfree covers, which was also summarized in \textit{M. L. Teply} [Finiteness Conditions on Torsion Theories, University of Granada (1984; Zbl 0564.16025)]. The book begins with the study of the basic properties of (not necessarily hereditary) torsion theories and filters for hereditary torsion theories. Then the \(\tau\)-cocritical modules (called \(\tau\)-simple by the author) are examined along with \(\tau\)-closures and maximal \(\tau\)-pure submodules (called \(\tau\)-maximal submodules). This is followed by a study of the relative Jacobson radical for \(\tau\). The basic properties of \(\tau\)-noetherian and \(\tau\)-artinian modules are given; i.e., chain conditions on \(\tau\)-pure submodules are studied. Then \(\tau\)-finitely generated modules are studied, and a relative version of Nakayama's Lemma due to \textit{T. Porter} [J. Algebra 85, 166-178 (1983; Zbl 0528.13026)]\ is presented. A section is also devoted to giving the proof of \textit{R. Miller} and \textit{M. Teply} [Pac. J. Math. 83, 207-219 (1979; Zbl 0444.16017)]\ of the relative Hopkins-Levitzki Theorem. A good, but elementary, introduction is given to the study of relative injective, quasi-injective, projective, quasi-projective modules; this includes such topics as a relative Baer's Criterion and a generalized Fuchs Condition. A rather limited introduction of relative flat modules is presented. The relative \(\tau\)-injective and \(\tau\)-projective modules lead to the natural existence questions of relative injective envelopes, projective covers, quasi-injective hulls, and quasi-projective covers. Such covers are related to the study of perfect rings. The author also gives a nice presentation on the known results for the existence of torsionfree covers. (For recent results arising from the study of covers, the interested reader could consult \textit{J. Xu} [Flat Covers of Modules, Lect. Notes Math. 1634 (1996; Zbl 0860.16002)].) The final portion of the book deals with \(\tau\)-primitivity and \(\tau\)-semiprimitivity, the torsion theoretical generalizations of primitivity and Jacobson semisimplicity. These concepts are shown to be related to the relative Jacobson radical and sums of \(\tau\)-cocritical modules in the natural way. Endomorphism rings of \(\tau\)-semisimple modules are studied and a relative density theorem of \textit{J. M. Zelmanowitz} [Commun. Algebra 14, 1141-1169 (1986; Zbl 0594.16011)]\ is presented.