Emphasizing active learning, this text not only teaches abstract algebra but also provides a deeper understanding of what mathematics is, how it is done, and how mathematicians think. The book can be used in both rings-first and groups-first abstract algebra courses. Numerous activities, examples, and exercises illustrate the definitions, theorems, and concepts. Each chapter also discusses the connections among topics in ring theory and group theory, helping students see the relationships between the two main types of algebraic objects studied throughout the text.