Nicolas Addington @naddington.bsky.social · 06/05/2026MathSky: can anyone recommend an undergraduate abstract algebra textbook that does rings before groups? 793
Alex Rice @alexrice23.bsky.social · 06/05/2026Abstract Algebra: A Geometric Approach by Ted Shifrin I see some less than favorable reviews for it online, but I liked it when I used it as an undergraduate. Ted was a mentor of mine, and he has a gift for writing really good, challenging problems. 110
Michael Kinyon @profkinyon.bsky.social · 06/05/2026My undergrad book was R.B.J.T Allenby's _Rings, Fields and Groups, An Introduction to Abstract Algebra_. I very much enjoyed it as a student. Some rings-firsters prefer the Anderson/Feil book. I'm not familiar enough with it to have an opinion. 120
Hendrik De Bie @debiehendrik.bsky.social · 06/05/2026Potentially a book on grobner bases, which makes ideals also more tangible or relatable to students? Just a thought… 220
Matt Davis @coolpapa22.bsky.social · 06/05/2026Baby Hungerford? (Abstract Algebra: An Intro) It may be a bit slow depending on the audience. I use it for future HS teachers who are taking one semester, where deep understanding of unique factorization of integers and polynomials is a main goal. Not the best for a year that aims at Galois Theory. 120
Barbara Fantechi @barbarafantechi.bsky.social · 06/05/2026My friend Rita taught it that way but the notes are in Italian. 010
Alexander Kasprzyk @amkasprzyk.bsky.social · 06/05/2026I remember enjoying Peter Cameron’s “Introduction to Algebra”. It’s very much aimed at first year UGs, so might be too basic. In chapter order: rings; groups; vector spaces; modules. 020
Silvia Barbina @doppelsilvia.bsky.social · 08/05/2026Paolo Aluffi's Algebra: Notes from the Undeground. I think it's a great textbook. 110
