Commutative Algebra: with a View Toward Algebraic Geometry (Graduate Texts in Mathematics, 150)

I cannot comment much on this book as a first experience to commutative algebra, but as a reference and particularly a companion to Hartshorne it is irreplacable (as noted in the intro, "a view toward algebraic geometry" is meant as a reference to Algebraic Geometry, the title of Hartshorne). In particular, all the algebraic results which are assumed in that title are proven here. As someone who loves seeing the details worked out, this is fantastic. In addition, reading this after having done a little algebraic geometry can be enlightening as Eisenbud likes to work in geometric examples wherever applicable -- albeit at the expense of a first-time reader.The book is extremely comprehensive as well, any time I have a question which can be phrased purely algebraically, Eisenbud is my first reference. On the other hand, this makes it the heaviest book on my shelf even as a paperback. 800 pages!There is one section I did learn from as a first source, the introduction to homological algebra in the appendices which I found to be really well-done. It certainly isn't done in the generality or depth as Weibel, but if you are only interested in modules over a ring or the easy generalizations to quasi-coherent modules on a scheme, this is a great place to learn the essentials of things like derived functors, spectral sequences, and even a cursory intro to derived categories that allowed me to get into Weibel's derived category chapter with ease.

I started reading it only recently and made past first 3 chapters. So this review is less about the specifics of the content, but about the general style.First, it is a delight to read. The clarity is excellent. It's understood that part of the clarity is based on reader's background! I didn't major in mathematics, and mine is an effort to (try to) learn some aspects of commutative algebra. Even with that sort of limited background of a beginner, I was able to tread through the material - as far as I read.Second, the motivation and historical backgrounds are fantastic. Especially for someone who may not know a lot about connections with other areas, this was a great help in putting things in perspective. One downside is that it makes the chapter a little more verbose than it needs to be for a quick access. But then for me it was a virtue; someone else may not find it so.Finally, the book doesn't have a strict linear flow. So it is somewhat easier, especially for an expert, to just pick a chapter and start reading it. A feature that I enjoy a lot in general, although I am not an expert in this area by any stretch.

Great reference with tons of material, explained from the basics. If you've been studying commutative rings for years and want a geometric perspective, this is the book for you. While I'd be hesitant to recommend it for a first course in commutative algebra (for that, use Kaplansky or Atiyah-MacDonald), it puts everything together very nicely.

This was marketed as a used copy, but it came out to be very new and of a very good quality.

The book itself is great, but the copy that I received was made using an inferior printing process. It almost seems like my copy was printed in another country.For instance, the front cover looks as though someone tried to upscale an image to make it fit the size required, and because of this, there is a lack of resolution in how it was printed. The second sign that my copy is not "authentic" is due to the fact that I have compared the size of my copy to the size other copies, and mine is far thicker, meaning that the paper that it was printed on is far thicker. Upon closer inspection, it is easy to detect differences in paper texture and quality between my copy and the others that I have seen.This is not a knock on the book, just a knock on the distributor that sold it to Amazon (I bought it via the Amazon prime option). With those points aside, the book is completely readable and there aren't any major issues with my copy. I am however concerned about whether the binding process will hold up. If I have any issues with the binding, I'll update this in the future.P.S. - I have a suspicion that my copy might have been illegally printed by a company and then sold as an authentic copy. If this is not what happened, then I guess Springer (which I has great graduate textbooks) is using an inferior printing process to what they have used in the past.

Excellent book. Very clear, thorough, with tons of interesting examples