Algebraic Graph Theory

Graph models are extremely useful for almost all applications and applicators as they play an important role as structuring tools. They allow to model net structures – like roads, computers, telephones – instances of abstract data structures – like lists, stacks, trees – and functional or object oriented programming. In turn, graphs are models for mathematical objects, like categories and functors. This highly self-contained book about algebraic graph theory is written with a view to keep the lively and unconventional atmosphere of a spoken text to communicate the enthusiasm the author feels about this subject. The focus is on homomorphisms and endomorphisms, matrices and eigenvalues. It ends with a challenging chapter on the topological question of embeddability of Cayley graphs on surfaces.