Advanced abstract algebra text that is focused on solving problems?

Question

I'm seeking a reference for a somewhat introductory-level abstract algebra text that focuses on solving problems, or has a motivated discussion of the major topics. I've found most texts I've skimmed though to have two issues for me:

1. The text more or less assumes that the reader is an undergraduate with little or no exposure to writing proofs.
2. The text just seems too hopelessly abstract for me. Mainly, they seem to consist of defining a bunch of objects and essentially pushing around symbols to prove theorems related to those definitions but seemingly unrelated to anything else.

I know that algebra originated, at least in part, as an attempt to solve algebraic equations...is there a text that will cover what I need to know, perhaps from that perspective? Or from a slightly more "applied" perspective?

Answer 1

Dan Saracino's Abstract Algebra: A First Course has proved excellent for me. It is relatively easy to read, especially in the first chapters, and seems to motivate pretty much every theorem it proves. It is not focused on applications, but I think you will be able to relate to its perspective.

Answer 2

Ian Stewart's Galois Theory. Has history, is motivated by solving equations, and requires relatively little background.