Originally Posted by Bostonian
I think this is an interesting essay about how the Dolciani series of algebra textbooks has changed over time, in the author's opinion for the worse. I wonder what algebra books in print she would recommend...

The degradation of school textbooks
by Allison
Kitchen Table Math blog

Quote
I'm often asked what algebra book I'd recommend.
The answer is Modern Algebra, Structure and Method by Mary Dolciani et. al. Copyright 1960 or 1962. But I can't recommend any edition of it written after 1970 without reservations...

If you are looking for home use... I bought a 1962 copy of Structure/Method I, Structure/Method II and a 1969 Dolciani/Jurgensen Geometry last week in good or better condition off Amazon. I paid ~$25 combined including shipping. You can't beat $8/bk for this quality.

As for in print books, AoPS seems to be the current rigorous favorite.