This book, like Serge Lang's algebra book, is a standard graduate text forming the core of many one or two semester PhD algebra classes. Like Lang's book, this one covers enough material to fill all the requirements most non-specialists will ever have. This text is clearly written, has good exercises, and provides a rigorous treatment of the included material. It forms a fine second text as a continuation of Hungerford's less advanced algebra book. In my personal opinion, this book is less difficult to read than Lang's, and it also forms a better reference book to keep on your shelf. On the down side, this book doesn't deliver the enthusiasm the subject deserves (read Jacobson's book for that!).
