This book provides a modern introduction to the representation theory of finite groups. Now in its second edition, the authors have revised the text and added much new material. The theory is developed in terms of modules, since this is appropriate for more advanced work, but considerable emphasis is placed upon constructing characters. Included here are the character tables of all groups of order less than 32, and all simple groups of order less than 1000. Applications covered include Burnside's paqb theorem, the use of character theory in studying subgroup structure and permutation groups, and how to use representation theory to investigate molecular vibration. Each chapter features a variety of exercises, with full solutions provided at the end of the book. This will be ideal as a course text in representation theory, and in view of the applications, will be of interest to chemists and physicists as well as mathematicians.

‘… this reviewer regards the second printing of the book as a gem in studying representation theory of finite groups.’

R. W. van der Wall Source: Zentralblatt für Mathematik

'This is a beautiful well-balanced introduction to representations and characters of finite groups over the complex field, suitable for advanced undergraduate and beginning graduate students. The reviewer enjoyed the exposition tremendously and strongly recommends this already popular book both as a textbook and for self-study.'

Source: EMS

'For me, the attractive features are the short chapters (substantial but bite-sized), the motivational comments throughout the book and useful summaries at the end of each chapter, the wealth of detailed examples which break up and illuminate the theory, and full solutions to all the exercises.'

Source: The Mathematical Gazette

'The review found this to be a clearly and carefully written book, which he will recommend to all students seeking an introduction to group representation theory. the authors write in a down-to-earth style, provide a large number of examples throughout, and give very useful content summaries at the end of each chapter … In summary, the additions to the second edition only improve what was already an excellent text.’

Source: Proceedings of the Edinburgh Mathematical Society