Classifying Spaces and Classifying Topoi

Book excerpt: This monograph presents a new, systematic treatment of the relation between classifying topoi and classifying spaces of topological categories. Using a new generalized geometric realization which applies to topoi, a weak homotopy equival- ence is constructed between the classifying space and the classifying topos of any small (topological) category. Topos theory is then applied to give an answer to the question of what structures are classified by "classifying" spaces. The monograph should be accessible to anyone with basic knowledge of algebraic topology, sheaf theory, and a little topos theory.