The aim of this book is the classification of symplectic amalgams - structures which are intimately related to the finite simple groups. The classification touches on many important aspects of modern group theory: * p-local analysis * the amalgam method * representation theory over finite fields; and * properties of the finite simple groups.

The aim of this book is the classification of symplectic amalgams - structures which are intimately related to the finite simple groups. In all there sixteen infinite families of symplectic amalgams together with 62 more exotic examples. The classification touches on many important aspects of modern group theory: * p-local analysis * the amalgam method * representation theory over finite fields; and * properties of the finite simple groups. The account is for the most part self-contained and the wealth of detail makes this book an excellent introduction to these recent developments for graduate students, as well as a valuable resource and reference for specialists in the area.