> sometimes you need the excellent dry theory and sometimes you need the more concrete but messy application, and in truth you will always vacillate between the

> sometimes you need the excellent dry theory and sometimes you need the more concrete but messy application, and in truth you will always vacillate between the two - this is the former Fully agree. Axler says it quite clearly that the book is intended for a second course in linear algebra. While not an applied text, I find it close enough that it allows you to subsequently go back to your applied material and see it with new eyes.