Based on several recent courses given to mathematical physics students, this volume is an introduction to bundle theory with the aim to provide newcomers to the field with solid foundations in topological K-theory. A fundamental theme, emphasized in the book, centers around the gluing of local bundle data related to bundles into a global object.

One renewed motivation for studying this subject, which has developed for almost 50 years in many directions, comes from quantum field theory, especially string theory, where topological invariants play an important role.

From the reviews:

"The book, according to the authors, originated in a course of lectures by D. Husemoller for physics students at the LMU in München during summer term 2003. ? The book is suitable for those readers who want to learn this subject rapidly, even if they are newcomers to this field, and also for the sake of the interest in twisted K-theory this book will be stimulative even to the readers who have already studied Husemoller's book ? ." (Haruo Minami, Zentralblatt MATH, Vol. 1135 (13), 2008)