Linear Algebra Done Right (Undergraduate Texts in Mathematics) - Tapa dura

From the reviews:

ZENTRALBLATT MATH

"This second edition of an almost determinant-free, none the less remarkably far-reaching and didactically masterly undergraduate text on linear algebra has undergone some substantial improvements. First of all, the sections on selfadjoint operators, normal operators, and the spectral theorem have been rewritten, methodically rearranged, and thus evidently simplified. Secondly, the section on orthogonal projections on inner-product spaces has been extended by taking up the application to minimization problems in geometry and analysis. Furthermore, several proofs have been simplified, and incidentally made more general and elegant (e.g., the proof of the trigonalizability of operators on finite-dimensional complex vector spaces, or the proof of the existence of a Jordan normal form for a nilpotent operator). Finally, apart from many other minor improvements and corrections throughout the entire text, several new examples and new exercises have been worked in. However, no mitigation has been granted to determinants. Altogether, with the present second edition of his text, the author has succeeded to make this an even better book."

AMERICAN MATHEMATICAL MONTHLY
"The determinant-free proofs are elegant and intuitive."

CHOICE
"Every discipline of higher mathematics evinces the profound importance of linear algebra in some way, either for the power derived from its techniques or the inspiration offered by its concepts. Axler demotes determinants (usually quite a central technique in the finite dimensional setting, though marginal in infinite dimensions) to a minor role. To so consistently do without determinants constitutes a tour de forces in the service of simplicity and clarity; these are also well served by the general precision of Axler’s prose. Students with a view towards applied mathematics, analysis, or operator theory will be well served. The most original linear algebra book to appear in years, it certainly belongs in every undergraduate library."

ZENTRALBLATT MATH
"Altogether, the text is a didactic masterpiece."

From the reviews of the second edition:

S. Axler

Linear Algebra Done Right

"The most original linear algebra book to appear in years, it certainly belongs in every undergraduate library."—CHOICE

"A didactic masterpiece."—ZENTRALBLATT MATH

“This book can be thought of as a very pure-math version of linear algebra ... . it focuses on linear operators, primarily in finite-dimensional spaces ... . Axler has come up with some very slick proofs of things that ... makes the book interesting for mathematicians. The book is also very clearly written and fairly leisurely. ... Axler concentrates on the properties of linear operators, and doesn’t introduce other concepts unless they’re really necessary.” (Allen Stenger, The Mathematical Association of America, December, 2010)