'I like the authorsâ (TM) taste in footnotes, what with their frequent
emphasis on history, i.e. the minutiae of the lives of many
mathematicians appearing in these pages. Their remarks add a particular
dimension of fun and pleasure to what I think is a very good book. Itâ
(TM)s pitched at the right level, it does a lot of serious stuff in
preparation for what is coming the studentsâ (TM) way in the future, and
it does it well.'MAA ReviewsThis comprehensive two-volume book deals
with algebra, broadly conceived. Volume 1 (Chapters 1-6) comprises
material for a first year graduate course in algebra, offering the
instructor a number of options in designing such a course. Volume 1,
provides as well all essential material that students need to prepare
for the qualifying exam in algebra at most American and European
universities. Volume 2 (Chapters 7-13) forms the basis for a second year
graduate course in topics in algebra. As the table of contents shows,
that volume provides ample material accommodating a variety of topics
that may be included in a second year course. To facilitate matters for
the reader, there is a chart showing the interdependence of the
chapters.