This book can be used as a text for the first year of graduate algebra, but it is much morethan that. It can also serve more advanced graduate students wishing to learn topics ontheir own; while not reaching the frontiers, the book does provide a sense of the successesand methods arising in an area. Finally, this is a reference containing many of the standardtheorems and definitions that users of algebra need to know. Thus, the book is not only anappetizer, but a hearty meal as well.