Preface

Summary

This work had its origins some years ago, when I found myself assigned to teach a new subject, to be called Topology and Chaos. At the time I knew quite a lot of topology, but very little of the area known as chaos theory. Conditions in Australian universities were changing, with the “commercialization” of learning, scholarship and research, and changing attitudes in society were influencing universities, making the teaching environment difficult in an area like real analysis, especially as traditionally taught at the undergraduate level. This project has been a result of these changing circumstances.

Over a long period I have received help from many people, and I cannot mention everyone who has had some beneficial effect upon the ideas in this work. But I would like to mention some of those who made a very specific contribution. Peter Siminski prepared drafts of some early illustrations and helped me with advice on some early parts of the work. Martin Bunder read large parts of an early draft of the work and made helpful comments. Graham Williams also read a draft of the manuscript and made many suggestions, as well as pointing out some better proofs. I am very grateful for the time and effort they spent in doing this, as well as providing me with discussions and responses on the general issues involved. Keith Tognetti pointed out some improvements, especially on the ideas arising in the discussion on Benford's Law.