Contemporary Abstract Algebra (Textbooks in Mathematics)

A top notch choice to learn Algebra, and contains proofs of theorems not usually found in other undergraduate books. Problems vary in difficulty, and the author provides hints to odd numbered problems. In book proofs of theorems are very readable, almost hand holding, so a great choice for either a class or self-study.One caveat, is that the Dihedral group could have been explained a bit better, and maybe using a geometric picture to illustrate the intuition behind it, instead of the page(s) of text. Judson offers a better explanation in his open source algebra book.The book is also entertaining to read, and offers many examples.Makes a great complement to something more advance like Artin's Algebra book, or even as a reference when reading a graduate algebra book. A book to keep on ones bookshelf forever.I also find it a bit superior to Fraleigh's book. Although, Fraleigh has true and false questions not found in book in Gallian, but can be found on his website.

I bought the book from the publisher direct after reading most chapters of the book I find it is one of the best book for introductory abstract algebra. Gallian wrote the book concisely and clearly. He presented the materials well in easily understood language. There are many tables summarize the facts and a huge number of exercises with solutions (there is a student solution manual available) helps readers to understand the materials thoroughly. Before Gallian, I have used many other abstract algebra books (more than 5). This is also my third times going over the same subject. Many of my confusions got clarified this times with Gallian's book. Besides, CRC Press (the publisher) also printed the book with wide margins so I could write remarks or proof some problems at the margin.

This is a great book, but the 10th edition has some issues. Some of these are minor (for example, the headers for corollaries seem to be in the wrong font), but some are impossible to ignore. In the first few chapters alone there have occasionally been missing parentheses/braces and missing words.As a result, when struggling to understand difficult proofs, I am left wondering whether I just need to try harder, or whether I'm wasting my time due to an unfortunate typo.However, I have also looked through the 8th edition of this book, and I did not see a single issue. I definitely recommend this book, just not the 10th edition.