My motivation for writing this book came from teaching a two year course
in algebra at the Mathematical College of the Independent University of
Moscow in 1992-1994. The students' enthusiasm and a relatively small class
allowed me to keep the level of presentation higher than it is usually done at
the Mechanics and Mathematics Department of Moscow State University,
and to touch on a number of subjects beyond a regular university course.
However, in writing this book I used my experience in teaching at Moscow
State University, and so the final version of the book is only partially related
to the course given at the Independent University