This new book can be read independently from the first volume and is intended to be used for lecturing, seminar- and self-study, and for general reference. It is focused more on specific topics in order to introduce the reader to a wealth of basic and useful ideas without the hindrance of heavy machinery or undue abstractions. This volume is particularly user-friendly with its abundance of examples illustrating the theory virtually at every step. A large number of carefully chosen exercises serves the dual purpose of providing practice to newcomers to the field, and offering a rich additional source of information to experts. A direct approach is used in order to present the material in an efficient and economic way thereby introducing the reader to a considerable amount of interesting ring theory without being dragged through endless preparatory material.