Customer Reviews

First Course in Abstract Algebra, A (3rd Edition)

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

 

 

Before taking an abstract algebra course this semester I studied the material on my own using the introductory texts by Gallian and Hungerford. These books were very useful because they actually completed proofs instead of leaving them as exercises for the reader. Someone new to abstract algebra is also typically new to higher mathematics. This means a book should have clear and full explanations, not skip major points like Rotman does. Rotman commits another sin by failing to provide homework problems which correspond with the material he presents. One nice thing is that the book does provide a wide array of material (much more than most other introductory texts). This virtue soon turns astray however because by providing so much preliminary material on congruences, functions, divisibility, .... you'll be lucky if your teacher gets to groups by halfway through the semester.

Rotman's book is a standard for first courses in Abstract Algebra. The book is easy to read and includes plenty of problems to work on. He even includes several standard syllabi in the preface, depending on the type of course that may be taught with it. It begins with some number theory, then goes into the traditional group and ring concepts. The only reason I would say to not buy this book is if you really don't like the theorem-proof, theorem-proof kind of writing, but if you don't, you're likely not interested in Abstract Algebra anyway. An excellent book for learning as well as reference.

It is always easy to add something to than to get rid of something from the book. I guess this is the case of the author when he prepares the second edition. However, I prefer the first edition because it is more readable, enjoyable, and most importantly, contains just enough information for the introduction to abstract algebra. There are huge number of textbooks on abstract algbra, and making another would not be the author's purpose of the revision, I hope, but it looks it is.
By adding more subjects in detail to the second edition, now it looks the same as any other, only to loose its expository and conversational style of writings, and became a reference-style textbook.

I was very disapointed with Rotman's attempt fix his first edition of this book. The wording is still overly dense, the topics skip around too much, and the examples are less than illuminating. At least he fixed the 10 by 10 orthogonal latin square on the cover to be correct this time. I think Hernstien's classic "Topics in Algebra" is a much better introduction

Not a lot of details in this book. Mostly just theorems and their proofs.

This textbook is the first math book I've had that doesn't have any homework answers in the back of the book. Instead, there are "helpful" hints for selected problems that aren't any help at all. This is very frustrating because I never know if I'm getting the right answer or not.

This is an excellent bookto use fo an introduction to modren algebra. It is clear and very accessible, with many useful examples. I highly recommend it.