Customer Reviews

Algebra: Abstract and Concrete (Stressing Symmetry) (2nd Edition)

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We used it in my first course. I missed the book after it was stolen because it is easy and decently entertaining to read. I remember being bothered by the 'proof left as excercise' bits there are maybe too many for a first course...otherwise fairly content with it... This is a gentle start to real algebra. Afterwards, like post first semester, I would use something like lang herstein or van der waerden (if they still print it).

Personally, I do not like this book at all. The idea is you teach yourself, which may appeal to some people, but not to me. Why should I teach myself when I'm paying tuition? The book gives you a few very obvious facts, then expects you to build everything up yourself. This ends up a) being a lot of work or b) making the exercises very difficult because you've missed all the middle ground. Not my style.

Personally, as an undergraduate, I do not like this book at all... It leaves a lot of important proofs to the reader which is not helpful when first learning Abstract. Plus definitions and concepts are not clearly states, a lot is "assumed." All in all, I would go for another book, or at least two supplements...