Ideal theory is important not only for the intrinsic interest and purity
of its logical structure but because it is a necessary tool in many
branches of mathematics. In this introduction to the modern theory of
ideals, Professor Northcott assumes a sound background of mathematical
theory but no previous knowledge of modern algebra. After a discussion
of elementary ring theory, he deals with the properties of Noetherian
rings and the algebraic and analytical theories of local rings. In order
to give some idea of deeper applications of this theory the author has
woven into the connected algebraic theory those results which play
outstanding roles in the geometric applications.