Shafarevich maps and automorphic forms

the long version

The aim of this book is to study various geometric properties and algebraic invariants of smooth projective varieties with infinite fundamental groups. Making systematic use of Shafarevich maps, a concept previously introduced by the author, this work isolates those varieties where the fundamental group influences global properties of the canonical class. The book is primarily geared toward researchers and graduate students in algebraic geometry who are interested in the structure and classification theory of algebraic varieties. There are, however, presentations of many other applications involving other topics as well.