Logic is one of the foundations of mathematics, making quality textbooks essential. This is one of the better ones, with descriptions followed by a large number of exercises. The basic strategy is to present the material in small sections, most of which are two pages or less in length. One unusual aspect of the book is that the authors chose to wait until chapter four to present truth tables. Traditionally the first topic in logic textbooks, leaving truth tables until later forces the reader to learn the operational meanings of the connectives. I approve of this pedagogical technique, undue reliance on truth tables can lead to the masking of some of the concepts of logic. Propositions and predicates are covered, with more ink spent on propositions that predicates and a simple set of axioms for addition is also presented
One negative point is that no solutions to the exercises are included. In my opinion, any book without solutions to some of the exercises is of reduced value as a textbook. Students work problems on their own and it is very important for them to get immediate feedback. This also reduces its' value as a text for self study.
I can recommend this book, the quality of the explanations and the number and detail of the exercises make that easy. However, the lack of solutions means that it can only receive my second highest recommendation.

Published in Journal of Recreational Mathematics, reprinted with permission.

I skim this book one day while looking for some reference books at my local bookstore.The clarity of the book makes it a good book for complementing set theory courses.The examples are given in a consice manner without obstructing the learning material to the readers. However, the lack of answers to the given problems makes the book unfitting to first time readers who may want to learn the subject just for plain curiosity; none of the steps are hinted for solving any problem. It is unfair having to buy this book because readers buying this book are expected to be experts in the field. Rather, it should also consider general science readers who have interest for the subject and want to learn the material. I think having full answers to problems allows all readers to have a good understanding of the subject at hand since it clarifies the bridge of ideas that mathematicians are trying to let the world see. Furthermore, it motivates readers to critically think challenging problems once enough practice has been establish through the ones with answers. However, because there is a lack of communication and guidance to achieve a full census with the subject, this book has a mild sour taste. So in hopes that the author of this book improves the book for the benefit of his readers, "Please provide answers next time."

This book presents a rigorous, axiomatic development of classic set theory, introducing the axioms as needed and founding nearly all results upon theorems derived earlier in the book (or on the axioms themselves). It is genuinely gratifying to see the development proceed in such a regimented fashion, from basic sets to natural numbers to reals, and then on to transfinite induction and the axiom of choice. There are numerous exercises; no answers are provided, but the intelligent reader who proceeds carefully should not find this a hindrance. It is however, not a modern book; readers who want to understand current ideasin set theory (inaccessible, supercompact cardinals, etc.) should look elsewhere.