Characteristic Classes and the Cohomology of Finite GroupsThe purpose of this book is to study the relation between the representation ring of a finite group and its integral cohomology by means of characteristic classes. In this way it is possible to extend the known calculations and prove some general results for the integral cohomology ring of a group G of prime power order. Among the groups considered are those of p rank less than 3, extra special p groups, symmetric groups and linear groups over finite