This book provides a self-contained introduction to diagram geometry.
Tight connections with group theory are shown. It treats thin geometries
(related to Coxeter groups) and thick buildings from a diagrammatic
perspective. Projective and affine geometry are main examples. Polar
geometry is motivated by polarities on diagram geometries and the
complete classification of those polar geometries whose projective
planes are Desarguesian is given. It differs from Tits' comprehensive
treatment in that it uses Veldkamp's embeddings.
The book intends to be a basic reference for those who study diagram
geometry. Group theorists will find examples of the use of diagram
geometry. Light on matroid theory is shed from the point of view of
geometry with linear diagrams. Those interested in Coxeter groups and
those interested in buildings will find brief but self-contained
introductions into these topics from the diagrammatic perspective. Graph
theorists will find many highly regular graphs.
The text is written so graduate students will be able to follow the
arguments without needing recourse to further literature.
A strong point of the book is the density of examples.