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Book, The Art of Electronics, worth $75.00? — Parallax Forums

Book, The Art of Electronics, worth $75.00?

PLJackPLJack Posts: 398
edited 2008-01-19 08:07 in General Discussion
I came across this book on Google while searching for OP-AMPs.
The Art of Electronics

I liked what I saw so I looked it up on Amazon.
I was surprised at the $75.00 price.

Anyone read/use this book?
Is it really worth that kind of cash?

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- - - PLJack - - -


Perfection in design is not achieved when there is nothing left to add.
It is achieved when there is nothing left to take away.

Comments

  • Shawn LoweShawn Lowe Posts: 635
    edited 2008-01-14 01:07
    I have heard alot about it. People swear by it. I say buy it - I will (if I every get the money freed up)

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    Shawn Lowe


    Maybe I should have waited to do that......
  • Tracy AllenTracy Allen Posts: 6,666
    edited 2008-01-14 01:24
    I'd say, yes, it is worth every penny. I have two copies, one at home, the original 1980 edition (for which I paid $26, still penciled inside the front cover) and one at work, the 2nd edition (1989), in which they added lots of material and brought it up to date

    The material on microcontrollers and specific ICs is again kind of long in tooth, but the the focus is really on foundation material, and the principles of instrumentation are solid, as relevant as ever, and told with a sense of humor and practical insight. Everyone is wondering if they will ever do a 3rd edition.

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    Tracy Allen
    www.emesystems.com
  • Mike CookMike Cook Posts: 829
    edited 2008-01-14 01:43
    Check eBay, first search returned one for $43.99 + shipping, several other vendors have a copy too, as low as $15.99, but shipping was high on that one.

    Remember when shopping on eBay know what you are buying!

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    Mike
  • UnsoundcodeUnsoundcode Posts: 1,532
    edited 2008-01-14 04:18
    Mike is absolutly right about eBay, I saw some with different ISBN #'s and others described as International Editions, probably ok but I think I would prefer the bona fida article.

    Another place related to eBay where I have bought books from in the past is www.half.com

    This one took my interest, it's a used 1989 hardback publication,the seller has 100% and it's currently running at·$20.25 + $9 shipping·with just over 21 hours to go. Of course anything can happen in that time and it depends how much the other bidders are prepared to spend. Worth watching??

    http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=378&item=120207771456

    Jeff T.
  • Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514
    edited 2008-01-14 04:30
    Hang the cost. Just buy it. Mine is one of the most-used volumes I own. I refer to it often (and really ought to upgrade to the 2nd edition). The difference between owning a reference such as this and using the web is that, with the latter, you have to know what you're looking for. With The Art of Electronics, you can sit down and read an entire chapter and learn things you didn't even know you needed to know (but do).

    -Phil
  • Dennis FerronDennis Ferron Posts: 480
    edited 2008-01-14 07:50
    Ha ha, I was just trying to remember the title of this book! A friend of mine has it and I borrowed it a lot last year, but couldn't afford to buy a copy. I was just thinking about it, "now what was it called...?" and then I see this post.
  • inakiinaki Posts: 262
    edited 2008-01-14 10:37
    It is a sort of encyclopaedia on Electronics but not as boring. It is fun to read. Perhaps slighty dated IMHO, although, until laws of Physics change,·the fundamentals of Electronics are still the same!

    I own the softcover version and is pretty damaged. My advise, buy the hardcover version!



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  • PLJackPLJack Posts: 398
    edited 2008-01-14 11:57
    With recommendations from you guys how can I say no.
    It's on order from Amazon. Should be here Friday or so.
    Although not stated on the web site, I assume it is the second edition.

    Thanks.

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    - - - PLJack - - -


    Perfection in design is not achieved when there is nothing left to add.
    It is achieved when there is nothing left to take away.
  • steve_bsteve_b Posts: 1,563
    edited 2008-01-14 13:17
    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Art_of_Electronics

    The Wiki on the book suggests the 3rd edition was due out in 2006 (they list an ISBN number as well) but the publisher said it's delayed....would almost expect it out by now or soon....?!?!

    Google lets you see some of the pages from the book as well (not enough to avoid buying it though)
    books.google.ca/books?id=bkOMDgwFA28C&dq=the+art+of+electronics&pg=PP1&ots=F28fSDc0Pv&sig=v4EuMuMrNOd_xcdbgdXbMcT1amc&hl=en&prev=http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&q=the+art+of+electronics&btnG=Google+Search&sa=X&oi=print&ct=title&cad=one-book-with-thumbnail#PPA750,M1

    Cheers

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    <FONT>Steve



    What's the best thing to do in a lightning storm? "take a one iron out the bag and hold it straight up above your head, even God cant hit a one iron!"
    Lee Travino after the second time being hit by lightning!
  • stamptrolstamptrol Posts: 1,731
    edited 2008-01-14 19:57
    For anyone who wants to "test drive" this book, many public libraries have copies of it. I even found a copy here in our small city of 44,000.

    Cheers,

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    Tom Sisk

    http://www.siskconsult.com
    ·
  • PLJackPLJack Posts: 398
    edited 2008-01-18 23:00
    My book arrived today.

    I just want to say thanks for the push.
    This is a great book. Looking forward to reading it.

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    - - - PLJack - - -


    Perfection in design is not achieved when there is nothing left to add.
    It is achieved when there is nothing left to take away.
  • WhitWhit Posts: 4,191
    edited 2008-01-19 00:59
    PLJack,

    Glad you like it. I enjoyed reading everybody's reccomendations. I tried to by a used copy (everytime, they were already sold) so I finally bought a new one. I feel the same way - well worth the money.

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    Whit+


    "We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths." - Walt Disney
  • stampedstamped Posts: 68
    edited 2008-01-19 08:07
    I grabbed myself an ebay copy a week or so ago (prior to seeing this thread). Glad to see the favorable reviews.
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