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What do you think is the best book on beginner electronics? — Parallax Forums

What do you think is the best book on beginner electronics?

VeganRobotVeganRobot Posts: 17
edited 2011-03-02 08:11 in Robotics
Hey everybody,

Being new to the electronics world I am fascinated by this massive area of knowledge that I'm just tapping into. I love to read books on tech so I wanted to know which books were best for people with a rudimentary knowledge. I do have a Boe-Bot and I want to expand my knowledge further.

Best regards

VR

Comments

  • LeonLeon Posts: 7,620
    edited 2011-02-14 09:01
    The Art of Electronics, by Horowitz and Hill. You won't need another book for a long time.
  • schillschill Posts: 741
    edited 2011-02-14 09:19
    Leon wrote: »
    The Art of Electronics, by Horowitz and Hill. You won't need another book for a long time.

    It's a very good book, but if a beginner is asking for a beginner book I think this is more than I would give them. There's a lot of stuff in there and it doesn't exactly hold the reader's hand.

    Some books on my shelf (but I haven't used them enough to provide a recommendation):

    Practical Electronics for Inventors - Paul Scherz
    Make Electronics: Learning through Discovery - Charles Platt

    For material light on theory but with good examples: Anything from Forrest Mims III
  • vaclav_salvaclav_sal Posts: 451
    edited 2011-02-14 10:36
    Before we all were dummies there was a series of paperbacks books “....made simple".
    I think " Electronics made simple " or something similar to that.
    Than “Amateur radio handbook” could be a good start.(Older paperbacks recommended)
    I think Carr's books on various subjects are still around too in libraries.
    Stay away from anything thicker that 1 inch!!! Lots of cut and paste pictures nonsense.
    Vaclav
  • Matt GillilandMatt Gilliland Posts: 1,406
    edited 2011-02-14 11:08
    I'm hurt...*sob,sob*
    - nobody suggested the *classics* yet?

    Ok, Inkjet wasn't all that great, but the other two have a lot of sample circuits and simple code for the BS2.

    Golly. This post is so self-serving :)
    -Matt
  • TinkersALotTinkersALot Posts: 535
    edited 2011-02-14 11:25
    Are the Forrest Mims series of booklets still available at the Rad Shack?
  • RonPRonP Posts: 384
    edited 2011-02-14 11:33
    @TinkersALot,

    I saw the Forest Mims book there just the other day. And they still have the Electronics Lab with two books included. Also Fry's Electronics carries the Forest Mims "Engingeers Mini Notebook Series".

    I have all of the above helped me a lot.

    -Ron
  • WhitWhit Posts: 4,191
    edited 2011-02-14 12:01
    @TinkersALot - see http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3433933
  • VeganRobotVeganRobot Posts: 17
    edited 2011-02-14 19:28
    Thanks everybody for your input. I'm going to take a look at all your suggestions and see which ones I like the most.
  • PliersPliers Posts: 280
    edited 2011-02-15 14:17
    Forrest Mims is a legend in the "how to" in basic electronics. His name will live on for ever.

    For a beginner, I would say they need a friend to show them. Or go to school for it.
    The information is everywhere, good guidance is the key to a successful adventure.
    Everybody should have a mentor. The internet has all the information they'll need.
  • IamretiredIamretired Posts: 56
    edited 2011-02-16 11:27
    Albert Paul Malvino wrote an excellent book for beginning electronics: "Electronic Principles". It teaches semiconductor electronics in a clear and practical way leaving the student with an excellent basis for estimating current flow in transistors in various circuit configurations. I have found several in used book stores in the past.
    John
  • SRLMSRLM Posts: 5,045
    edited 2011-02-16 22:05
    http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?105493-Electronics-Books-Recomendations
  • LisaQLisaQ Posts: 33
    edited 2011-02-17 01:18
    Here is a link to an online text that I have found to be very helpful.
    http://openbookproject.net/electricCircuits/
    It covers DC,AC, semiconductors...
    Lisa
  • Dr.ZaiusDr.Zaius Posts: 16
    edited 2011-02-28 17:18
    You know......If you want to learn about Electronics and the BS2 at the same time try the free online books from Parallax just buy the kits when needed or buy your own parts from the kit list. The books are pertty good; take out Two birds with one Stone.......:)
  • VeganRobotVeganRobot Posts: 17
    edited 2011-03-01 09:42
    thanks again to everyone for their suggestions. I have a lot of great material I'm pouring over and it just gets my mind thinking of all the possibilities.
  • BenWirzBenWirz Posts: 63
    edited 2011-03-02 08:01
    For learning analog electronics, I'd recommend investing in the Art of Electronics. During my first 10 years as a junior EE, I literally spent 100's of hours pouring over it. My copy has plenty of coffee stains and a loose binding to prove it. While the book is has somewhat dated references to components, the theory presented is still valid. The digital parts of it are way out of date at this point but still have some useful info as well. The sections on lower power design and low noise design are excellent IMO.

    -Ben
  • Peter KG6LSEPeter KG6LSE Posts: 1,383
    edited 2011-03-02 08:11
    shameless plug here .My Proff In College wrote his own books .
    http://www.amazon.com/dp/0133597954/ref=asc_df_01335979541434499/?tag=nextagus0054829-20&creative=395009&creativeASIN=0133597954&linkCode=asn

    not cheap but is a Very VERY good book and its easy to understand .
    His book Forrest Mimms and the ham ARRL are My top 3 most used Tech books for electronics .
    Peter
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