The aim of this monograph is to give a comprehensive and up-to-date presentation of the theory of finite linear spaces. For the most part, we take a combinatorial approach to the subject, but in the final chapter group theory is introduced.

The text is designed as a research resource for those working in the area of finite linear spaces, while the structure of the book also encourages its use as a graduate level text. At the end of each chapter, there is a section of exercises designed to test and extend a student's knowledge of the material in that chapter. There is also a research problem section containing current open problems which can be tackled with the aim of producing a thesis or a journal publication.

In the first chapter, constructions of affine and projective spaces are reviewed, and the fundamental results on finite linear spaces are given. Chapters 2 through 6 cover the work done on the major problem areas in linear spaces taking the ‘planar’ view: classification of linear spaces with given parameters, embeddability of linear spaces in “suitably small” projective planes. In Chapter 7 we consider problems of embedding higher dimensional linear spaces in projective spaces. Finally, in Chapter 8, assumptions are introduced on the collineation groups of linear spaces, and the recent results on characterization are presented.

There are several people we wish to thank for their assistance, encouragement and patience while this book was being written.