This book is intended to serve as a textbook for a course in algebraic topology at the beginning graduate level. The main topics covered are the classification of compact 2-manifolds, the fundamental group, covering spaces, singular homology theory, and singular cohomology theory. These topics are developed systematically, avoiding all unecessary definitions, terminology, and technical machinery. Wherever possible, the geometric motivation behind the various concepts is emphasized. The text consists of material from the first five chapters of the author's earlier book, ALGEBRAIC TOPOLOGY: AN INTRODUCTION (GTM 56), together with almost all of the now out-of-print SINGULAR HOMOLOGY THEORY (GTM 70). The material from the earlier books has been carefully revised, corrected, and brought up to date.