Linear Algebra

Lang's Linear Algebra is one of my favorite undergraduate math books. The style is concise and clear, and the approach is rather rigorous. I found the chapters on polynomials particularly interesting. Minor complaints: (1) I would rather Lang have done the book over general (e.g. finite) fields rather than sticking with subfields of the complex numbers. That way it would be more clear which results truly rely on results in Complex analysis and which rely only on the fact that the every n-degree polynomial over the complex numbers has n roots. (2) A couple more examples involving function vector spaces would have been interesting. Although all-in-all he strikes a great balance for as short a book as this is.

I think the term "undergraduate" is a bit misleading. I think you would have had to have at least one course in linear algebra and abtract algebra to truly appreciate this book. I read it over a summer (as a master's student who lacked any coursework in linear algebra) - kind of as an independent project, and I found it to be very easy to understand. Then again, I had just taken abstract algebra. There were a couple parts that I found challenging though. I love it when he says that the proof or rest of the proof is "trivial" and unnecessary to write. I have heard he does this in many of his books. Overall great book if you have some background.

Like in other math books by Lang, the theory of Linear Algebra is presented in an axiomatic way, the best way of presenting since The Elements of Euclid. The way in which the theory is presented adds to the beauty. I have read this book as a refresher for Linear Algebra, about 20 years after the completion of a master's degree in an exact science. For me the level was perfect. If you have no experience with Linear Algebra beyond high school, you must first read "Introduction to Linear Algebra" by Lang or some other introductory course. The book under review does not talk about basics like Gauss-elimination. I have seen remarkably few typos. Some cross-references to theorems in other chapters were wrong, though. In all: a very good book and well worth the money.

Serge Lang is a very gifted expositor. I've read the reviews saying that his books are notorious for their "dryness". At least as concerns this book - that couldn't be less true.This book is not only methodical and well written, it is a joy. Every section is a well rounded presentation: Lang clearly and effectively introduces new concepts and patiently develops even the most basic results. But Lang achieves much more: his illuminating examples are stepping stones to a more abstract understanding. Enjoying this book is like enjoying anything of high quality and craftsmanship. Admittedly, that is not always for everyone to enjoy.

It is the rare sort of book that makes an excellent introduction for the student and useful reference for the graduate, and that is why I recommend this book unreservedly. Its conciseness may leave some students adrift, but I think it serves to enhance the book's structural coherence. And while the given proofs are usually terse, I think that makes the book a wonderful way to measure one's prepardness for upper level studies. Linear algebra is the ideal subject with which to familiarize students with rigorous proof techniques because it has so many easily visualized yet useful examples. If one cannot understand Lang's proofs here, one is probably not ready to tackle an upper level course in, say, algebra or topology. This book therefore serves as a proving grounds, so to speak (and excuse the pun!), for one's mathematical ability. Survive the test and you'll probably do well in your upper level studies, otherwise you should practice some more and try again.