"This book is an introduction to the theory of complex manifolds. The authors' intent is to familiarize the reader with the most important branches and methods in complex analysis of several variables and to do this as simply as possible. Therefore, the abstract concepts involving sheaves, coherence, and higher-dimensional cohomology have been completely avoided. Only elementary methods such as power series, holomorphic vector bundles, and one-dimensional cocycles are used. Nevertheless, deep results can be proved, for example, the Remmert-Stein theorem for analytic sets, finiteness theorems for spaces of cross sections in holomorphic vector bundles, and the solution of the Levi problem. Each chapter is complemented by a variety of examples and exercises. The only prerequisite needed to read this book is a knowledge of real analysis and some basic facts from algebra, topology, and the theory of one complex variable. The book can be used as a first introduction to several complex variables as well as a reference for the expert."--BOOK JACKET.