Finite-Dimensional Vector Spaces (Paperback or Softback)

Master expositor Paul Halmos presents Linear Algebra in the pure axiomatic spirit. He writes "My purpose in this book is to treat linear transformations on finite dimensional vector spaces by the methods of more general theories. The idea is to emphasize the simple geometric notions common to many parts of mathematics and its applications, and to do so in a language that gives away the trade secrets ...". This text is an ideal supplement to modern treatments of Linear Algebra. "The theory is systematically developed by the axiomatic method that has, since von Neumann, dominated the general approach to linear functional analysis and that achieves here a high degree of lucidity and clarity....The book contains about 350 well placed and instructive problems, which cover a considerable part of the subject. All in all this is an excellent work, of equally high value for both student and teacher." --Zentralblatt für Mathematik.

“This is a classic but still useful introduction to modern linear algebra. It is primarily about linear transformations ... . It’s also extremely well-written and logical, with short and elegant proofs. ... The exercises are very good, and are a mixture of proof questions and concrete examples. The book ends with a few applications to analysis ... and a brief summary of what is needed to extend this theory to Hilbert spaces.” (Allen Stenger, MAA Reviews, maa.org, May, 2016)