Abstract Algebra: A First Undergraduate Course, Fifth Edition

Rating:
Summary: Not so good for undergraduate text
Review: Currently, I have this book for my undergraduate course in Abstract Algebra, and I really really wish that the professor picked another one. The main reason why I don't like this book is the fact that the explanations are very bad and there is like 2 pages max. for each topic and then around 30 problems at the end of each topic. I think that clearly this is not enough of theory and explanation for an undergradute text in Abstract Algebra. There are very very little examples, and if there are any then those would be proof of the theorems and that's it. I just don't feel comfortable with this book, and I had to search for other books in order to get through the class. I really like the contents, and I just wish the author would spend some more time explaining why and not just stating the theorem. That we can all found in Mathematical Handbook.

Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: I don't know what Ita Cirovic's problem is, but this book, in my opinion, is the most well written, clear and straight forword book on abstract algebra I've read.

The explanations and proofs are clear and easy to understand, one can understand the proofs in a short amount of time, unlike many other abstract algebra books.

If you don't like this book then you must already know abstract algebra and want more detail or you've just got a problem and need to see a psychologist (kidding) :D

JOhn

Rating:
Summary: Great Teaching Tool
Review: My first course in abstract algebra was from a pre-publication version of this text. I remember Professor Alexanderson rushing into class at the last minute with the next few pages of the text still damp from the mimeograph machine. I have used the text in my abstract algebra courses ever since the first edition became available. The most distinctive feature of the text is the extensive and well organized sets of problems; the problems are the course. The problems at the end of each section not only give practice which reinforces the material in that section, but also leads into the next. There are many cases throughout the text where the main theorem in Section N has already been discovered at an intuitive level by the class from doing the problems in Section N-1. All that is left to be done in Section N is to give a precise statement and a proof of the theorem. I have found that students who are serious about mathematics thrive on this text. Two groups who find this approach to teaching/learning mathematics to be particularly beneficial are the students who intent to pursue graduate school and those who are preparing for secondary math education. I recommend the text highly to all my fellow mathematics professors who are looking for just the right text for their abstract algebra course.

Rating:
Summary: Great Teaching Tool
Review: My first course in abstract algebra was from a pre-publication version of this text. I remember Professor Alexanderson rushing into class at the last minute with the next few pages of the text still damp from the mimeograph machine. I have used the text in my abstract algebra courses ever since the first edition became available. The most distinctive feature of the text is the extensive and well organized sets of problems; the problems are the course. The problems at the end of each section not only give practice which reinforces the material in that section, but also leads into the next. There are many cases throughout the text where the main theorem in Section N has already been discovered at an intuitive level by the class from doing the problems in Section N-1. All that is left to be done in Section N is to give a precise statement and a proof of the theorem. I have found that students who are serious about mathematics thrive on this text. Two groups who find this approach to teaching/learning mathematics to be particularly beneficial are the students who intent to pursue graduate school and those who are preparing for secondary math education. I recommend the text highly to all my fellow mathematics professors who are looking for just the right text for their abstract algebra course.