TITLE: Preparations for reading Algebraic Number Theory by Serge Lang
QUESTION [14 upvotes]: I am eager to learn algebraic number theory. It seems that Serge Lang's Algebraic Number Theory is one of the standard introductory texts (correct me if this is an inaccurate assessment). I flipped through the first pages and realized that I am not quite ready to read it. In particular, the two main prerequisites that I'm lacking seem to be:
Commutative algebra. I have read more than half of Atiyah-Macdonald. But I am having a hard time, because it's concise and somewhat unmotivated. Is there another book that is easier to read? Which topics are relevant to algebraic number theory?
Galois theory. I am practically blind about Galois theory. Same questions as before: what are good books in Galois theory, and which topics are relevant to algebraic number theory?

REPLY [3 votes]: If you are not really comfortable with Commutative algebra and Galois Theory and want to learn Algebraic Number Theory, I have two suggestions.

Introductory Algebraic Number Theory by Saban Alaca and Kenneth A Williams
Algebraic Number Theory and Fermat's Last Theorem by Ian Stewart and David Tall.

These two books are very basic.