Rating: 
Summary: An invaluable supplement
Review: What is it with you people? I see scathing review after scathing review of this book. Do you feel as though it somehow makes you into a real mathematician to belittle the informal tone? Does it make you feel any better about yourself to suggest that the target audience of this text is "kindergarteners?"Sure, Strang's book may not be an adequate sole text from which to learn linear algebra and matrix theory. But surely serious mathematicians (as opposed to kindergarteners) would never attempt to learn a subject from a single text. This is where the book shines - as a supplement to a more formal text. (Here, pick your own; I have my own personal favorite, but it has been out of press for years). And then read the two side by side. One provides rigor, the other, INTUITIVE UNDERSTANDING. This, after all, is where Strang's book shines - rather than providing only a formal understanding of the mathematics in question, he manages to convey an intuitive understanding of the objects represented by linear algebra methods in many common applications.
Rating: 
Summary: disappointing
Review: When I started reading it, the book seemed excellent, but beyond chapter 4, I became extermely bored, and very disappointed towards the end when having paid a rediculous amount for it, I learned absolutely nothing and instead read Strang's incoherent babbling about just how wonderful linear algebra is. I was new to the topic, so I imagine the book must be a complete waste of time for someone who's got a bit of experience. Luckily, I found better linear algebra books. In fact, one of the reviewers has suggested the book by Friedberg, and I would agree that title is 100times better, but it could be a bit abstract. The point is, Strang's book is an expensive flop, with much hype and little substance.
| 
