Basic Algebra

Basic Algebra is the first volume of a new and revised edition of P.M. Cohn's classic three-volume text Algebra which is widely regarded as one of the most outstanding introductory algebra textbooks. For this edition, the text has been reworked and updated into two self-contained, companion volumes, covering advanced topics in algebra for second- and third-year undergraduate and postgraduate research students.

In this first volume, the author covers the important results of algebra; the companion volume, Further Algebra and Applications, brings more advanced topics and focuses on the applications. Readers should have some knowledge of linear algebra and have met groups and fields before, although all the essential facts and definitions are recalled.

The coverage is comprehensive and includes topics such as:

- Groups

- lattices and categories

- rings, modules and algebras

- fields

The author gives a clear account, supported by worked examples, with full proofs. There are numerous exercises with occasional hints, and some historical remarks.

From the reviews:

"The book is a wonderful piece of work that condenses and transmits the long experience of an excellent teacher. The reader enjoys the structure of the precisely designed volume and the beautiful combination of clear arguments and well-chosen examples. A lot of exercises help the reader to deepen his knowledge. This updated and improved introduction to abstract algebra must be on the bookshelves of all algebraists and of all students interested in algebra." (Maria B. Szendrei, Acta Scientiarum Mathematicarum, Vol. 71, 2005)

"This is a coherent overview of group, ring and field theory which combines brevity with elegance and authority. … to the serious algebraists and departmental libraries … this book will be an automatic purchase." (Gerry Leversha, The Mathematical Gazette, March, 2005)

"This book … is a new and revised version of the author’s famous text ‘Algebra’ … . The book contains numerous exercises, and … many illuminating comments on the subject. There is no doubt that the book will take the position of its predecessor in being one of the most outstanding introductory algebra textbooks." (EMS Newsletter, June, 2004)

"The entire text is profusely supported by worked examples. Each section in the book comes with a plentiful supply of carefully selected exercises, and there are also numerous historical remarks and hints for further reading. Altogether, this textbook breathes once more the author’s rich teaching experience and his masterly skill as a textbook writer. … the author has kept his well-tried methodical principle of combining old and new viewpoints in algebra in a natural way, which makes his textbooks so unique, matchless and timelessly valuable." (Werner Kleinert, Zentralblatt MATH, Vol. 1003 (3), 2003)