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Title: Abstract Algebra, 2nd Edition by David S. Dummit, Richard M. Foote, Barbar Holland ISBN: 0-471-36857-1 Publisher: Wiley Text Books Pub. Date: 01 January, 1999 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $101.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.08 (24 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: This book is clearly written and quite comprehensible.
Comment: Dummit and Foote's Abstract Algebra is an excellent resource for any serious student of mathematics. While it assumes that the reader has some previous knowledge of the material, it rigorously builds the entire subject of modern algebra from first principles. Each section is clear and well written, with detailed examples and related illustrations. Of all the standard algebra texts I know, it most effectively combines clarity with technical rigor. All in all, it is a superb text for an advanced undergraduate or a blossoming graduate student. (In response to another review, the exercises have no printed solutions, but it would be ludicrous for a text written at this level to have them.)
Rating: 5
Summary: You'll get a lot of mileage out of it
Comment: Most of the reviews have been positive, and basically explain the strengths of the book, but I thought some would appreciate hearing what someone, like me, who has gone through most of the material in the book over the last three and half years, would say.
This is the only book I bought as an undergraduate that I still look at today. All my other undergrad texts are either stored away somewhere or gather dust on my bookshelf. The reason is simple: Dummit and Foote has stocked in one book almost all the basic algebra that is required for my study of 3-manifold theory. I suspect this is true of other fields also. By "basic algebra" I mean the key ideas and examples that are used in many different areas of mathematics.
Just recently, I needed to pick up some algebraic geometry in order to understand SL(2, C) character varieties. As usual, I went to my Dummit and Foote and found what I needed (for the most part). And also as usual, I will need to supplement that knowledge with some more advanced books.
A couple things about this book annoy me though: 1) the price -- however, I have certainly gotten my money's worth out of it over the years, so I can't really complain 2) Initially when I first got the book, the wealth of material in the book appeared intimidating and esoteric to me; however, nowadays I would say there isn't *enough* in this book. Oftentimes it seems that I get just a taste before the discussion of a topic ends. On the other hand, I am realistic, so I realize that this book is not meant to be encyclopedic but to introduce the reader to the more advanced topics.
I've yet to see another book that carries all the topics of this one, and remains fairly reader-friendly (as this one does).
Rating: 5
Summary: Good intro to the subject
Comment: While I haven't read this book beyond the group theory chapters, it has proven invaluable for me already. The writing is clear and flows very well, particularly due to good ordering of topics. The introduction of each concept is followed by a wealth of examples, never leaving the reader completely lost on the purpose of whatever concept is being studied.
However, do not expect to grasp concepts immeadiately unless you have a practical application to relate to (and that's general advice for anyone studying abstract algebra). Reading this hand in hand with a number theory book has helped me immensely, not to mention that number theory is a worthy topic of study on its own.
Overall, the book was certainly worth its price, and I haven't even read a significant chunk of it yet!
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