Elementary & Intermediate Algebra by Michael Sullivan, III
The Sullivan/Struve/Mazzarella Algebra program is designed to motivate students to do the math- at home or in the lab-and supports a variety of learning environments. The text is known for its two-column example format that provides annotations to the left of the algebra. These annotations explain what the authors are about to do in each step (instead of what was just done), just as an instructor would do.