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My goal is to pick up some commutative algebra, ultimately in order to be able to understand algebraic geometry texts like Hartshorne's. Three popular texts are Atiyah-Macdonald, Matsumura (Commutative Ring Theory), and Eisenbud. There are also other books by Reid, Kemper, Sharp, etc. Can someone outline the differences between these texts, their relative strengths, and their intended audiences?

I am not listing my own background and strengths, on purpose, (a) so that the answers may be helpful to others, and (b) I might be wrong about myself, and I want to hear more general opinions than what might suite my narrow profile (e.g. If I said "I only like short books", then I might preclude useful answers about Eisenbud, etc.).

  • 1
    Eisenbud wrote his book as a preparation for Hartshorne, which is what "with a View Toward Algebraic Geometry" in the title alludes to.2011-05-06
  • 0
    Are you recommending Eisenbud on those grounds, then?2011-05-06
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    Yes, and also because I like Eisenbud's expository style: Also have a look at his little book "the geometry of schemes".2011-05-06
  • 4
    Excellent question!2011-06-05

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