A Friendly Introduction to Group Theory: 2nd Edition

While not the Spivak of its generation for Algebra - for some reason, in the undergraduate side of the card, no single text seems to take the torch from Pinter like Aluffi did from Lang - the missing part seems to be more down the lines of just needing more material here.I am working currently on the chapter on the Sylow theorems and class equations - this is one of the best presentations of the subject I've seen in an undergrad book, books that always have the habit of zipping through this dense kind of material to get to some optional section on free groups that nobody reads. I am awaiting the inevitable second part as word of his excellent text spreads and the demands rolls in, whether his school has the second Algebra course or not; seeing a typical math major capstone in Galois Theory presented with actual pictures that aren't employed condescendingly, color text that is not overused, and other wonderful pedagogical methods unique to this text - all written in this author's expert prose - is something for which I am willing to wait.Instructors planning on adopting this text should not skip on Chapter 1 unless an intro to proofs class has already incorporated sets, rudimentary number theory, functions between sets and equivalence relations. Return to the number theory portion when necessary; remind of equivalence relations at most at the Isomorphism Theorems.I appreciate Dr. Nash's large print and book for my aging eyes, but I wonder if a more suitable option exists for the next iteration of his text. Independent studying types should also find this book valuable, though, grumpily, all answers are omitted.

The book is well written, I am trying to use it for self study, but I mark it 2 stars for the following reasons :- the exercises havo no solutions or even answers : a book with the word introduction should have answers by law, otherwise change the title and do not boast it for self-study- there should be more examples and problems: e.g. at the end of each paragraph, of the chapter and of the book- the final index is poor- there is no list of used symbols; in example 6.3.13 there is a symbol ( a kind of x| ) which I am not able to find anywhere in the book, nor in other books- size is larger than A4, awful, should be reduced by 30% at least- the references to paragraphs/theorems etc should include the page, otherwise you waste time to find theorem 14 or proposition 2.5.3- I do not like when proofs are left for exercise- some exchanges between its and it's are not nice even for a foreigner

I purchased your book and am self-studying Groups using it.I find it very pedagogic.I'm a retired B. Sc. Computer Science who always loved math also.I try to do as many exercises as I can. For the moment I rely only on my self confidence for the solutions... I did not find any exercise solutions.

This is a rare book in that it teaches visually using plenty of diagrams and examples. Also, most books don't come with the answers to exercises but if you are self studying (like myself) you can email the author and he is kind enough to provide you with them.

Extremely iuseful!!