Book excerpt: This textbook presents a unified approach to compact and noncompact Riemann surfaces from the point of view of the so-called L2 $\bar{\delta}$-method. This method is a powerful technique from the theory of several complex variables, and provides for a unique approach to the fundamentally different characteristics of compact and noncompact Riemann surfaces. The inclusion of continuing exercises running throughout the book, which lead to generalizations of the main theorems, as well as the exercises included in each chapter make this text ideal for a one- or two-semester graduate course.