The Art of Electronics - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: Heithrun
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 25, 2015, 05:25:18 pm
content: I've started reading The Art of Electronics 2nd Edition. The book has exercises but, does not give you the answers. So i did a search on the web if anyone has listed them. And no one has, which really surprises me. The book has been out for 26 years. I was wondering if it's a taboo to do so or has no one just bothered to do it?

author: mazurov
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 25, 2015, 05:31:31 pm
content: Have you checked accompanying "Student Manual", ISBN 978-521-37709-6 ?

author: Heithrun
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 25, 2015, 05:48:39 pm
content: No, I dont have the student manual. But the Student Manual isnt an answer key to the main book, its supplemental material.

author: JacquesBBB
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 25, 2015, 05:49:17 pm
content: By the way,I just received this email from amazon.co.ukQuoteSo the new edition will be soon here

author: Mr.B
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 25, 2015, 06:42:03 pm
content: I am looking forward to this book.I haven't had such an email.I pre-purchased on January 21.My Amazon account still shows:"Delivery estimate:We need a little more time to provide you with a good estimate.We'll notify you via e-mail as soon as we have an estimated delivery date."

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 26, 2015, 06:03:20 am
content: We're not worthy, we're not worthy, we're not worthy...

author: Mr.B
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 26, 2015, 06:26:16 am
content: So Dave, by that picture I can assume it is the bible of electronics...I am very happy I have ordered it if that is your highly esteemed opinion.Cannot wait for it to be shipped.

author: JamesHowlett
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2015, 08:28:05 am
content: I would like to buy one to improve my electronics knowledge but It is expensive

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2015, 08:52:09 am
content: Quote from: JamesHowlett on March 26, 2015, 08:28:05 amKnowledge has always been expensive. Ignorance is even more expensive.Standard "joke"...Technician is called in to fix a car, hums and hars a bit, then thumps the engine. It starts working and he submits an invoice for £100. Customer moans that £100 is much too expensive for hitting an engine. The technician, concurs, and resubmits an invoice for "£1 for thumping the engine, £99 for knowing where and how hard to thump".(Except for the invoice, I once did that, much to the owners relief and surprise!)

author: JacquesBBB
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2015, 09:19:32 am
content: Dave,I share your admiration for this book. I have read many technical books in various fields andthere are only very few that have the clarity of writing and deep content of "The Art of Electronics".@JamesHowlett :It would be expensive if you were thinking of it as an ordinary book, like many of those that aremore consumable that could be thrown away just after the reading (if ever you read it).The last edition of "The Art of Electronics" last for 26 years and is still a good book.Moreover, if you were limiting your electronic library to this single book,it would still be a decent electronic library.

author: janoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2015, 10:08:38 am
content: It is really a good book. I have an "Indian" version of the 2nd ed. (available through eBay, basically no color images/text and cheaper paper in a "paperbacky" binding, but costs a lot less compared to the "western" edition) and it really is a bible. Both because of the volume and the content.The digital stuff is fairly obsolete in the 2nd ed (obviously, considering that it is 20+ years old), but the basics and the analog part in general are still great. I have learned a lot from it already.I do wonder whether it is worth the money to buy the 3rd ed, given that I have the older edition. I don't care all that much about the digital stuff because that I can find elsewhere already.

author: JacquesBBB
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2015, 10:47:30 am
content: @janocI have the same Indian version of the 2nd edition, quite surprisingly available on amazon. I bought also the student manual from the same source which is also a very nice book for practical lab classes.I have the same feeling as you : the analog part is the one that matters in "The art of Electronics". This is the one that I would like to see updated in the new edition. We will see soon, as probably Dave will give an account of the content of his exemplary.

author: JamesHowlett
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2015, 09:52:57 pm
content: Quote from: tggzzz on March 26, 2015, 08:52:09 amNice joke and you are absolutely right. There are tons of information on internet but having all complete in a "useful" book is precious. I check my institutes library today but no chanceI may order a used copy of second edition any time soon

author: drakke
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2015, 02:24:54 pm
content: So is the third edition a significant upgrade over the 2nd edition?

author: JacquesBBB
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2015, 03:10:36 pm
content: You can already compare the Table of contents by downloading the full Table of content of Edition 3 athttp://artofelectronics.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/AoE_3e_table-of-contents.pdfIt seems that they have avoided to be specific on any short lived microcontroller, andreally focused on the fundamental concepts of electronics.In particular, Arduino is only mentioned and occupied less than a page, which is in my sense a very good choice.This edition time of validity can thus be expected to be even longer than the previous one.

author: notaroketscientist
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 29, 2015, 02:53:26 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on March 26, 2015, 06:03:20 amThe photo is all the endorsement anyone should need. I bought it.

author: drakke
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2015, 05:40:02 am
content: Quote from: JacquesBBB on March 28, 2015, 03:10:36 pmShould these chapters be read sequentially or is this more of a reference?How much prior competence is required to take full advantage?

author: JacquesBBB
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2015, 06:24:56 am
content: Let me just quote myself from another post on "Practical Electronics for Inventors".Quote from: JacquesBBB on March 03, 2015, 08:40:38 amIn addition to that, I would say that if you are already familiar with electronics, you can go directly to AOE. The difficulty I mention is not from the technical part, but from the density of the content. The mathematical part is limited to a minimum, and summarised in a 3 pages appendix ( cosine, sine, exponential, derivative ).I have read it entirely once, and then go back to it regularly as a reference. I am really looking forward getting my new copy, and I am anticipating the joy I will have to read it again entirely in this new edition, which looks extremely promising from the detailed Table of content.

author: mrgregs
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2015, 07:55:43 am
content: *Looks over at his copy of the first edition, held together with tape*There's a second edition??And who knows, I might need to design a 8085 based computer at some point!Seriously, though, it is a wonderful book, but not for the faint hearted - as JacquesBBB says, the content is very dense. Nonetheless it is the book you find yourself keep going back to, just to brush up on theory, as it is written so well.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2015, 08:50:57 am
content: Quote from: notaroketscientist on March 29, 2015, 02:53:26 amRight action, but for the wrong reasonAvoid personality cults!

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2015, 08:54:56 am
content: Quote from: drakke on March 29, 2015, 05:40:02 amYesQuoteTofullyunderstand, you need their level of competenceHowever, repeated reading will allow you to asymptotically approach their competence. Hopefully that will allow you to become more competent than them in your chosen field.

author: JacquesBBB
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2015, 01:06:23 pm
content: Blofeld posted this in the general chatQuote from: Blofeld on March 29, 2015, 11:32:37 amBut the links are not direct.I thus post here the link to Winfield Hill messagehttps://groups.google.com/forum/#!searchin/sci.electronics.design/hill$20art/sci.electronics.design/PSTqKWlJ_TM/N1NaFGaZCCgJand the direct link to chapter 9 of AOE as posted in Winfield Hill messageQuote from: Winfield Hillhttps://www.dropbox.com/s/r8gu22ficfac3pz/AoE-III_ch-9_109pgs.pdf?dl=0

author: bitwelder
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2015, 02:29:50 pm
content: For the professionals (in electronic field) who already have AoE on their shelf: when/how do you use that book?

author: f5r5e5d
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2015, 02:56:43 pm
content: I have only skimmed a borrowed copy - as a experienced analog circuit design engineer I expect I'm no longer a good judge of what a intro book should be - but I found the slant, some diversions into what I thought were technical irrelevancies jarring given the reputation of the bookI would recommend getting lots of differing views on anything you are trying to learn - books, lectures, app notesbut a few decades of experience can turn you back to a greater appreciation of Uni EE curriculum - "there is nothing so practical as a good theory" takes on more meaning as you gain experience

author: JacquesBBB
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2015, 03:02:30 pm
content: Quote from: bitwelder on March 29, 2015, 02:29:50 pmI would say that a good start would be to take the book from the shelf and start reading it.

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2015, 04:04:54 pm
content: I can't believe the ridiculously high price they expect for this book. I bought the second edition about 6 or 7 years ago. In no way was it worth the price I paid. This 3rd edition is 50% more expensive than what I paid for the last one. Can you guess if I will waste my money again?

author: JacquesBBB
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2015, 05:19:09 pm
content: @rdlI wish also it were less expensive, but most of the hardcover university books are expensive, in contrast to some of the books more aimed towards a general audience like "Practical electronics for inventors" which you can get for 23.5$.The second edition of AOE is listed 130.7 $ at amazon.com which is larger thanthe third edition at 110 $ . The increase that you mention probably just reflects the general increase of living, or maybe you did not get theoriginal hardcover edition (I got an Indian edition at a very low price).If you look to the list of University recent hardcover books in electronics, ranked by "new and popular" on amazon.com, you find in the first ranks.200$ :Electric Circuits (10th Edition)Jan 19, 2014 by James W. Nilsson and Susan Riedel89.41$ :Signal and Power Integrity - Simplified (2nd Edition)Jul 27, 2009 by Eric Bogatin163.74$ : Electronics Fundamentals: Circuits, Devices & Applications (8th Edition)Jul 3, 2009 by Thomas L. Floyd and David M. Buchla185.74$ : Microelectronic Circuits (Oxford Series in Electrical & Comp. Eng.)Dec 15, 2009 by Adel S. Sedra and Kenneth C. SmithYou can wait for a cheaper softcover edition, but if you did not take any benefit from the second edition, thereis probably very little chance you will find the third edition useful.

author: mtdoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2015, 05:26:31 pm
content: It still kills me thinking about the fact that I sold my copy of the 1st edition for pennies at a garage sale 20 years ago. I'd bought it for an electronics course in 1984 during my brief foray into learning electronics while studying electrophysiology as an undergraduate biology major.I have the Indian paperback 2nd edition and the PDF.Looking forward to my 3rd edition which is marked as "dispatched" by the Book Depository in the UK.

author: JacquesBBB
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2015, 06:44:31 am
content: From Amazon.co.ukQuote

author: notaroketscientist
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 01, 2015, 01:24:41 am
content: Quote from: tggzzz on March 29, 2015, 08:50:57 amThis entire forum is a "personality cult" just not your personalityno worry, Bob's your uncle, it's still the duck's guts.I bought the companion lab manual a few months back from the last edition and after poking around it I knew I had to have AOE.At 63yrs I have been reading electronics materials for over 50yrs including the US Navy's schooling materials from the 60's and 70's.No other tome in my limited experience comes close to the substance covered or the method of delivery. The ability to convey information without the need tobury the reader in math and formulas sets this apart from all the rest.Dave Jones delivery style is unique and very effective. His endorsement implies a similar effectiveness. The implication is accurate.

author: bookaboo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 01, 2015, 07:47:16 am
content: I ordered from Waterstones in UK on Friday, got an "out of stock" email on Monday and a "despatched" email today.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 01, 2015, 08:08:41 am
content: Quote from: notaroketscientist on April 01, 2015, 01:24:41 amI've been recommending the book to others since the mid 80s, so clearly I agreeQuoteFortunately his style lacks all pomposity, to the point of being humourous. If it wasn't it would be intolerable.But Istillhate "personality cults", or anything else which has the appearance of "proof by reference to personal authority"!

author: smjcuk
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 01, 2015, 08:34:43 am
content: Couldn't agree more. If you think these EE personality cults are bad, you want to look at the open source software culture.One should always trust multiple sources and ignore Amazon reviews (I'm sure that reviewer eggboy65503 hasn't read 990 books in his time). No book is worthy of worship independently.Now for a contrarian POV. I worked in the defense electronics industry (the big R) for a total of six months back in 1997 before I got lured into writing software (less responsibility for killing people). Now there were hundreds of EEs there and not once was I recommended TAOE nor saw a copy in the labs. Knowledge flowed freely not through books and references but on paper and time spent in the cafe. The only things I was recommended was Calculus For The Practical Man (1946!) and get a TI85 as it does determinants on arbitrary matrix sizes unlike shoddy Casio tech, it was faster than a pencil and you could write games on it.I have a copy of TAOE 2nd edition on my shelf which is barely used. 300 pages are next to useless and the rest unnecessarily verbose as a reference and tutorial.I'll buy the 3rd edition out of interest as those 300 pages should then be up to date for about 5 years. However I'll wait for the 'international edition' to appear like I did last time and get my good Indian friend to post me a copy from there. (Yes they price fix books and provide 'affordable' editions for other countries). The paperback is easier to handle as wellI'll probably be flamed off the forum now much as if I'd insulted a religious text.

author: notaroketscientist
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 01, 2015, 09:22:34 am
content: Quote from: smjcuk on April 01, 2015, 08:34:43 amNo worry mate.....this is the beginners board. Rocket scientists such as yourselves are the ones we beginners look to for guidance and endorsements, recommendations, directions on how to become what we believe you are. Dave posted in this thread for the likes of blokes like me not so well informed untrained beginners with a thirst and passion to grasp the unfathomable depths of a discipline we dream about. Your finding it next to useless and unnecessarily verbose is likely as strong an endorsement as Dave's to someone like me who simply lacks your experience and wisdom.Modified by Seppy due to overly excited text formatting

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 01, 2015, 11:40:03 am
content: I would tend to agree slightly. I found the second edition not as great as everyone said it was, maybe i know more than I know (better than not knowing what I don't know). To be honest with the availability of the internet my copy has just sat on the shelf. But i have ordered the 3rd edition just to see if i can prove me wrong. I find american writers annoying anyway, some forget they are writing information books and seem to think that cracking stupid jokes every page was the primary reason for the book.

author: drakke
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 02, 2015, 03:07:08 am
content: Quote from: smjcuk on April 01, 2015, 08:34:43 amHow useful is it for a non-EE?Someone who knows NOTHING about electronics. Can they get a basic foundation from which to explore deeper into specific topics?

author: mtdoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 02, 2015, 03:11:25 am
content: Quote from: drakke on April 02, 2015, 03:07:08 amVery useful as long as you have basic math (at least through algebra) skills and some understanding of basic physics (electromagnetism).I am not an EE and find it very useful.

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 02, 2015, 03:57:52 am
content: I'm pretty sure the 2nd Edition I bought was "used, like new". I paid close to $80 for it. The biggest problem I saw was that a lot of the content was out-dated by time I bought it, and large parts of what remained are not that useful for beginners. It's not that the book was bad, or totally useless, I just didn't see it as a good value. I'd like to have a copy of the new 3rd Edition because I know it will at least be up to date, but at the moment I think there are much more productive and informative ways to spend $100.

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 02, 2015, 08:02:14 am
content: My copy turned up from cambridge universitry press yesterday. I've not read a word of it yet but looks more proffessional, more images, graphs so hopefully a worthwhile read if my HNC course does not turn up first.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 02, 2015, 08:32:50 am
content: Quote from: rdl on April 02, 2015, 03:57:52 amStrange. I still refer to my first edition. The fundamentals are unchanged, and TAoE excelled at outlining a high-level view of a topic, plus giving sufficient detail to enable the reader to startprofitablyexploring and elaborating.To use opamps as an example, the "good circuits" and "bad circuits" are still good and bad, even if the opamps have changed (and many haven't!). If I want to choose an opamp or detailed information about how to use a specific opamp, there's plenty of that available on the web.

author: JacquesBBB
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 02, 2015, 09:48:10 am
content: Quote from: drakke on April 02, 2015, 03:07:08 amYou can look back to my post #17 above.If you know nothing about electronics, the step will be quite steep. The book content is dense, so you will benefit more if you are already somewhat familiar with electronics. On the other hand, it is a book that can be read. It is not a dull academic book aimed for the selection of students on technical exercises. Mathematical expressions are reduced to a minimum. It is also a book that aim to transmit a know-how.TO get an idea of the book, the best thing is to download the chapter 9 that is available for free atCopyright content removed.It has been largely written with respect to edition 2 and has a better introductory section. It a a long 100 page chapter on power supplies and power regulation that is somewhat self contained.

author: JacquesBBB
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 02, 2015, 09:55:05 am
content: Quote from: Simon on April 02, 2015, 08:02:14 amWhat does "HNC course" means ?

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 02, 2015, 10:00:17 am
content: Quote from: JacquesBBB on April 02, 2015, 09:55:05 amHigher National Certificate which in my case will be in electronics, it's level 5 out of 8 and after 8 you go for a degree at university

author: smjcuk
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 02, 2015, 10:08:49 am
content: Quote from: JacquesBBB on April 02, 2015, 09:48:10 amThat's several orders of magnitude more useful than 2e based on that chapter sample. Despite prejudices against the book and suspect longevity of information I will purchase it based on the utility of that chapter alone (as I'm currently designing a LDO reg based supply).

author: JacquesBBB
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 02, 2015, 11:19:35 am
content: To the moderator :You have suppressed the link below,Quote from: JacquesBBB on April 02, 2015, 09:48:10 ambut in his message linked below, Winfield Hill explictely state that the link to chapter 9 that he providescan be shared. This is all what I did. Please tell us if Winfield Hill is wrong.https://groups.google.com/forum/#!searchin/sci.electronics.design/hill$20art/sci.electronics.design/PSTqKWlJ_TM/N1NaFGaZCCgJand the direct link to chapter 9 of AOE as posted in Winfield Hill messageQuote from: Winfield Hill

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 02, 2015, 11:27:14 am
content: Quote from: JacquesBBB on April 02, 2015, 11:19:35 amThank you for clarifying. It is wise to post such credentials in the first place as otherwise the correct judgement is that it's breech of copyright.

author: JacquesBBB
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 02, 2015, 11:38:00 am
content: Quote from: Simon on April 02, 2015, 11:27:14 amOK, but as I already mentioned it with all credential in my previous " Reply #21" message in this same thread, I did not think I should have repeated it extensively. Now I will be more cautious, as I understand that you cannot go back always in the full thread.

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 02, 2015, 11:39:49 am
content: yes please keep clarifications and material links together it makes life so much easier especially for people like me who struggle to remember stuff.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 02, 2015, 11:48:26 am
content: Quote from: JacquesBBB on April 02, 2015, 09:55:05 amHigher National Certificate. This is traditionally in the same area as an apprenticeship for a technician level job. Traditionally a university degree lead to an engineering level job.For the past 25 years that distinction has been deliberately obfuscated mainly due to academic snobbery that a "Polytechnic" was inferior to a "University". That's a crying shame because the academic rigor required to become an engineer doesn't suit everybody - some are better suited to a more practical course. In reality in real lifebothare valuable and are necessary - and it is a shame that snobbery has disguised that.

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 02, 2015, 11:53:50 am
content: Quote from: tggzzz on April 02, 2015, 11:48:26 amWell in my case it's a case of I'm pretty good at this shit so my employer wants me to be qualified. They are not able to teach me anything as I'm the one with the highest level of knowledge due to practical experience and my employer being mechanical orientated but this is the only option open as I am in work already and can study this from home. I tend to learn a lot from trying to solve a problem and getting over the new hurdles, often with the help of this forum.I have had to deal with a subcontractor in the past who supposedly had employees with post graduate degrees but could not "reason" very well and there produced poor results. Studying and passing in exams or by assignments does not make you competent / clever you have to have a passion for it and interest, if you do it just to earn money you won't be very good generally.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 02, 2015, 12:11:52 pm
content: Quote from: Simon on April 02, 2015, 11:53:50 amSounds good: make the best of the opportunities available to you!QuoteAnd I've seen many people that don't know the fundamental theory, and so make outrageous impossible claims. Competence and incompetence can be found everywhere.There are strong and useful parallels between engineer:technician and doctor:nurse. Every new engineer/doctor with any senseknowsthat they rely heavily on the technicians/nurses on the team. And thatpartnershipshould continue as they gain experience.Nowadays, quite reasonably, nurses are taking over more or the routine work previously done by doctors - and are probably doing a better job. But a nurse that beileves they know more than a doctor is a liability. And the same is true for a doctor that believes they are better than a nurse.Each has their own skills and limitations - and the same is true for engineers and technicians. Vive la difference!

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 02, 2015, 12:16:35 pm
content: Well as I'm often found saying "it is better to know what you don't know " that way you know where you need to find out more. It's when you don't realize your missing something or don't care to test and question yourself that you make huge mistakes.

author: JacquesBBB
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 02, 2015, 12:31:08 pm
content: Quote from: Simon on April 02, 2015, 11:53:50 amSo it means you have a good employer. Taking this opportunity is wise, as you will not havealways the same employer and having the degree that fits your qualificationsputs you always in a better position.The degree will also be a way to consolidate your knowledge, by making you look to things that otherwise your would have avoided. So good luck in your studies, and be ambitious !

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 02, 2015, 12:33:04 pm
content: It's not a degree and well lets say that my employer probably figured that I'm cheaper than a subcontractor and infinitely more available plus I've got them out of the goey stuff a couple of times so I think my direct boss wanted to do right by me.

author: JacquesBBB
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 02, 2015, 12:40:38 pm
content: Quote from: Simon on April 02, 2015, 12:33:04 pmOk, Certificate then, I was using degree in the generic sense. What I meant is that once you get thiscertificate, nothing prevents you to continue, and to run for an EE degree.

author: Fred27
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 02, 2015, 01:32:27 pm
content: Quote from: mtdoc on March 29, 2015, 05:26:31 pmSame here. I did the first year of an electronics degree about 25 years ago (before switching to another course) and used to have the first edition as a textbook. Electronics is a rediscovered hobby now and my shiny new copy of the 3rd edition just arrived.

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 02, 2015, 03:00:26 pm
content: As I said:QuoteThere is indeed a lot of good information in there, but for someone just getting started in electronics, there are other books available with a higher ratio of useful information per dollar spent.I've never seen a copy of the first edition of The Art of Electronics, maybe it was better in that respect.Quote from: tggzzz on April 02, 2015, 08:32:50 am

author: Alex Eisenhut
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 02, 2015, 03:53:40 pm
content: I like the Malvino book. That one I still use a lot.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 02, 2015, 04:18:39 pm
content: Quote from: rdl on April 02, 2015, 03:00:26 pmThat, of course, is a very personal judgement. Unfortunately the best way of reaching such a conclusion it is to sit down in a bookshop and speed-read the competing books. Amazon does have its downsidesQuoteIt was so like the first edition that I didn't bother to buy it.There were no changes in the fundamentals, only a small updating of some of the devices. But as I noted elsewhere I don't think that is important, and there are better sources of that information.

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 02, 2015, 05:27:53 pm
content: Quote from: Alex Eisenhut on April 02, 2015, 03:53:40 pmI guess this is it?http://www.amazon.com/Electronic-Principles-Albert-Malvino/dp/0028028333/A used copy of the 6th edition is less than $15 shipped, so I will probably give it a look.

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 02, 2015, 08:24:56 pm
content: I've started reading mine, not overly impressed, why oh why are they talking dynamic resistance and the example of zeners before diodes are even being explainedI know sometimes you have to skip ahead a bit but jesus, if I was a total beginner I'd be lost.

author: smjcuk
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 03, 2015, 09:50:55 am
content: Quote from: Simon on April 02, 2015, 08:24:56 pmThat's the sort of problem I had with it. The student guide that accompanies it is better for a tutorial style approach although that appears to assume that you have a pile of specific kit at your disposal (yes everyone has a 6.3v 60Hz transformer floating around rather than a signal generator). Plus it sort of tails off half way through as if they got bored of it (mind you a couple of university modules I did actually had the same problem so perhaps this is a problem with academia).Someone needs to kick off a new book which a) is creative commons allowing contribution, b) allows feedback and patches before specific editions are committed, c) serves as both a tutorial and reference. There are attempts at those books but they're all chock full of errors.There is a programming equivalent already:http://learncodethehardway.org/My favourite electronics book (which is actually hilarious in places):http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0750694998/And a better book to learn from, although a few small errors apparently:http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1118217322/