Customer Reviews

Abstract Algebra

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This excellent book was my textbook for 2 semesters of senior level abstract algebra. The unique feature of this book is that elementary number theory, equivalence relations, and permutations are carefully introduced at the beginning. Other books launch right into groups and then have to make long digressions to cover these topics. Comparing this book to the best-selling Contemporary Abstract Algebra by Joseph Gallian, I like that Gallian's book adds many applications which students will find interesting. However, Beachy and Blair's book puts a greater emphasis on developing student's ability to do proofs. The book also incorporates more number theory than many other texts. Answers to selected problems are included, so I recommend this book for self study as well as a textbook for any undergraduate abstract algebra course.

Not only is the best book I have seen on Abstract Algebra, this is the best mathematics book I own. I have used it as a suppliment while studying, in research, and in teaching. It is clear and readable. The authors also have a wonderful web site with scores of resources on the subject.

This is the best introductory text I've read. I like it much better than Durbin. The author takes a lot of time explaining proofs in the beginning. Over time, they leave more to the reader. The exercises are bountiful, and I often find a few interesting ones in each section. I highly recommend this text to anyone interested in higher mathematics. It's very thorough, yet very readable.

I am midway through my second semester of undergraduate algebra using this textbook, but I have been reading ahead and just finished the final chapter. While it gets a little rocky at some points in the later chapters, overall it is very clear and well written. I don't have a lot to write about this book, but part of the reason for that is that when reading textbooks, the bad stands out a lot more than the good does, and so a good textbook leaves you with little to review. The book takes a very number-theoretic approach to algebra, which I personally find somewhat dry, but that's simply a matter of opinion.

I don't think there are any prerequisites to this book beyond familiarity with basic operations on matrices.

Just about all Abstract Algebra books by American Authors are completely useless.So why am I giving this 3 stars??

The reason is 1. Unlike most textbooks the exercises are very well chosen , not too difficult and not too easy.

2.The presentation of all the Theorems is very clear. Now why not more than 3 stars? The main reason is that like most textbooks it mostly contains theorem, proof , example , etc. This method has been shown time and time again not to work.The learner no matter how smart he or she is needs to see a subset of actual problems worked out fully.Amazingly although not found in the textbook itself the authors do this on a WEBSITE associated to the textbook .There we see many problems worked out with full solutions.If those worked out problems were included in the book, this book would have been a masterpeice.However in order to learn from the book , one has to constantly go to the website , hence the book is inadequate on its own.If you are an instructor planning to teach the undergraduate Abstract Algebra course, this book is your best option ( which goes to show how bad the other textbooks are).Both Authors are now retired from Northern Illinois University , and I encourage them to bring out a Fourth Edition that includes all the supplementary material found on the website.

In trying to teach students algebra, I tried to use this book to teach them from, but I found that all the concepts were introduced at what is seemingly high school level. I think that a moderate high school student (with some curiosity) could teach himself the basics of algebra with this book. As an undergraduate text, though, it is way too slow and way too elementary.

This book has some nice proofs in it (though, disappointingly, many key results are "left as an exercise"), and some nice diagrams as well, but it is way too light on methodology. Unless you're blessed with brilliance, inpiration, and limitless free time, avoid this book. I've read many chapters two or three times over and still cannot apply what I've learned to the problems at the end of the chapter. In that respect, this book fails as a student textbook. It is concise enough to serve as a reference, but doesn't offer much for someone who is genuninely interested in the subject but doesn't already know everything.

Book arrived in excellent condition and very timely manner. Will definitely check out for further textbook purchases.