Customer Reviews

Linear Algebra: A Modern Introduction

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As a computer science graduate student without the proper math background, I've been cramming mathematical concepts into my brain for the last few years. And this book, every time, has provided the most lucid, digestable and yet usefully rigorous explanation I have found for whatever concept I'm learning. The four-page explanation of Markov chains, pp. 217-220, e.g., seems very hard to top. The thing is, in CS especially perhaps, you learn to use math as a tool when you have that "ah-hah" moment of intuition. When you get the idea of what *the point* of the particular mathematical tool is. Then you can apply it and use it to think about other problems you might want to solve. Math as a way of thinking. Which is where the clarity of writing and explanation in this book comes through for you. Which is not to say the problems aren't excellent as well, because they are, and you have plenty of opportunity to practice the manipulations associated with a given concept as well. I can't recommend this book enough.

I'm a junior majoring in computer science and I had to take a linear algebra course to satisfy my degree requirements. I put off taking the course until this semester since I had heard bad things about the course. Like one of the other reviewers, I learned that the prof changed texts and would be using Poole's Linear Algebra instead of the previous semester's book (which I won't name!)

Poole's book is absolutely fantastic. He starts slowly and gives a good concrete foundation before introducing the more abstract concepts - I really liked this approach. There are examples and applications galore, including lots of stuff on codes. (Even though my prof didn't cover all of these applications, I read them all - this book has changed my opinion of the usefullness of linear algebra.)

I really recommend this book. If you want to learn linear algebra and have it explained in a clear way, this is the book for you. If you know a prof who is using a different book, get her/him to check this one out. Your fellow students will thank you!

I am in my second year of university. In pursuit of a degree in math, I?ve been through several books but this one beats them all. The author has made an extra effort to make this very complicated subject understandable. From the clear diagrams to the examples and the exercise questions, every aspect is par excellence. The book starts from the very basic topics and fundamental concepts and covers advanced topics in glorious detail. I?ve had the pleasure of attending some of the author?s lectures and his vast knowledge of this subject in as evident in this book as was in his lectures. If you plan to buy one linear algebra book this definitely the one to get!

OK. I like math. So sue me! But I was dreading taking linear algebra after talking to some friends who took it last year from the same prof as I would have. I looked at their textbook and ugh! Not really very well written.

But I signed up anyway and - surprise!! - new textbook! Linear Algebra by David Poole - what a HUGE relief! As other reviewers have said this is a GREAT LA textbook - well written, clear, good examples and pictures and fun! (really!) It's like having your prof give you his personal lecture notes with extra comments. I loved the book and loved the course.

If Prof. Poole is thinking of writing other textbooks, I'll be first in line to buy them - and can suggest what he should write next :)

(...) This is a really great book. Very clearly written with TONS of excellent examples. I really liked the diverse selection of applications too. Poole goes to great lengths to make linear algebra fun and I think he succeeds brilliantly! If you're looking for a linear algebra textbook that explains the subject clearly and makes it relevant, this is the book for you. (But where did Amazon.com get the cover photo? That's not the cover of the actual book!?)

What a terrific book! I recently finished taking a linear algebra course using a different textbook. If only Poole's book could have been the text for my course. The author is clearly an outstanding teacher and he writes with students in mind. The exposition is crystal clear and he actually makes linear algebra fun! Wow! Highly recommended.

This is a must have for math lovers. the book has colourful graphs and interesting equations and in addition it has interesting problems for the whole family to solve... If you're here to buy the book for your course, it has the answers in the back for those who don't understand math. Nice book to look at when you're in the Linear algebra class. Pure fun!