Best book to study topological groups

Question

I want to study the Topological groups and their applications..Which is the best book with a number of examples to study them from beginning.

I have been studying general topology from the the book $\textbf{Topology by Munkres}$.Also I am well-known with group theoretic concepts.What are the other core subjects that will be used in it?

Any help would be appreciated...

Answer 1

I found the following references very useful:

1. Chapter 1 in the book "Transformation groups", by Tammo tom Dieck.
2. The book "Topology and Geometry", by Bredon.
3. For results stated in more generality: Topological groups, by Pontryagin.

Answer 2

I'm a fan of Geroge McCarty's Topology: An Introduction with Application to Topological Groups. It's a very fast--yet complete and readable--way to get the basics down. It's also a Dover book, so likely under $10.