This book contains a series of research papers on subjects related to the work of Niels Henrik Abel, written by some of the foremost specialists in their fields.
Some of the authors have been specifically invited to present papers, discussing the influence of Abel in a mathematical-historical context. Others have submitted papers presented at the Abel Bicentennial Conference, Oslo June 3-8, 2002. The idea behind the book has been to produce a text covering a substantial part of the legacy of Abel, as perceived at the beginning of the 21st century.

It is accompanied by a CD-ROM with a large amount of information related to Niels Henrik Abel, such as on the Abel Centennial in 1902 and the Abel Bicentennial Conference in 2002, the launching of the Abel Prize, Abel monuments, and stamps, banknotes, coins etc. issued in honour of Niels Henrik Abel.