Algebraic Number Theory and Fermat's Last Theorem

Rating:
Summary: thoughts from an amateur
Review: good overview of algebraic number theory as it applies to FLT, however not exactly pitched at beginners. you'll want to have a grounding in abstract algebra & linear algebra at the minimum. still, even if you don't, you can get a good sense of the "big picture" and a high-level understanding of the advances in mathematics that were directly or indirectly related to attempts to solve FLT. overall a fascinating read if you're a math geek who wants something a little deeper than Simon Singh's pop treatment of Wiles' proof.

Rating:
Summary: thoughts from an amateur
Review: good overview of algebraic number theory as it applies to FLT, however not exactly pitched at beginners. you'll want to have a grounding in abstract algebra & linear algebra at the minimum. still, even if you don't, you can get a good sense of the "big picture" and a high-level understanding of the advances in mathematics that were directly or indirectly related to attempts to solve FLT. overall a fascinating read if you're a math geek who wants something a little deeper than Simon Singh's pop treatment of Wiles' proof.

Rating:
Summary: Lucid introduction
Review: Lucid and clear introduction to algebraic number theory, in style very much like the author's other book on Galois theory. Very elementary though, doesn't cover any analytic method, nor gives even a taste of class field theory, besides the problem set is less than challenging. But the book serves its purpose well, strongly recommended for beginners.