0 Introduction.- 0.1 Basic operator theory.- 0.2 The predual L(H)*.- 0.3 Three locally convex topologies on L(H).- 0.4 The double commutant theorem.- 1 The Murray - von Neumann Classification of Factors.- 1.1 The relation... ~... (rel M).- 1.2 Finite projections.- 1.3 The dimension function.- 2 The Tomita - Takesaki Theory.- 2.1 Noncommutative integration.- 2.2 The GNS construction.- 2.3 The Tomita-Takesaki theorem (for states).- 2.4 Weights and generalized Hilbert algebras.- 2.5 The KMS boundary condition.- 2.6 The Radon-Nikodym theorem and conditional expectations.- 3 The Connes Classification of Type III Factors.- 3.1 The unitary cocycle theorem.- 3.2 The Arveson spectrum of an action.- 3.3 The Connes spectrum of an action.- 3.4 Alternative descriptions of ?(M).- 4 Crossed-Products.- 4.1 Discrete crossed-products.- 4.2 The modular operator for a discrete crossed-product.- 4.3 Examples of factors.- 4.4 Continuous crossed-products and Takesaki's duality theorem.- 4.5 The structure of properly infinite von Neumann algebras.- Appendix: Topological Groups.- Notes.

Why This Book: The theory of von Neumann algebras has been growing in leaps and bounds in the last 20 years. For the expert, it suffices to mention here that after some preliminaries, the book commences with the Murray - von Neumann classification of factors, proceeds through the basic modular theory to the III).