Group ring groups. Volume 1: Orders and generic constructions of units. (Q744870)

This is the first part of an excellent two-volume textbook providing a comprehensive description of units of the integral group ring, or more generally, of an order in a finite dimensional semisimple rational algebra. The two volumes are capable to give a solid basis of a graduate course stretching over two terms, perhaps together with the widely used expositions of \textit{G. T. Lee} [Group identities on units and symmetric units of group rings. Algebra and Applications 12 (2010; Zbl 1203.16025)], of \textit{C. Polcino Milies} and \textit{S. K. Sehgal} [An introduction to group rings. Algebras and Applications 1. Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Publishers (2002; Zbl 0997.20003)] and of \textit{S. K. Sehgal} [Units in integral group rings. Pitman Monographs and Surveys in Pure and Applied Mathematics 69. Harlow: Longman Scientific \& Technical; New York: John Wiley \& Sons (1993; Zbl 0803.16022)], but deserve the place on the bookshelf among the frequently browsed volumes of not only the specialist but also of the scholar whose interests are in either group, representation or ring theory. The required prerequisites are exhaustive undergraduate courses on group theory and ring theory, more specific basics on these diverse areas and motivational aspects are elucidated within the books. Volume 1 describes orders and generic constructions of units. Chapters 1-5 give several examples and basic prerequisites motivating and preparing the reader for further study, including cyclotomic units and Bass units. These initiative chapters elaborate the theory of representations of finite dimensional semisimple algebras with the Brauer group and cohomology included, Wedderburn's theory treating classical facts as well as newer ones on calculation of primitive central idempotents, and rudiments of Dedekind domains, valuations and orders, culminating in Siegel's theorem that the group of units of an order is finitely generated. Cyclotomic, central and generic units of an order are studied in Chapters 6-8, while K-theory and the general linear group of degree 2 in Chapters 9 and 10. Chapter 11 establishes that in most cases Bass and bicyclic units generate a subgroup of finite index in the unit group of the integral group ring, the remaining exceptional cases are discussed in Chapter 12. In the final chapter applying the previous descriptions of the idempotents and simple components of the rational group algebra, central units of the integral group ring are examined, and for certain metacyclic groups three nilpotent subgroups are constructed generating a subgroup of finite index. The authors have succeeded in giving an appealing treatment of units in group rings managing to convey the beauty as well as the hardship of the subject.