I have not looked at this particular book, so this is a generic observation.

Many of these types of books (i.e., books for a more-or-less lay audience) have serious shortcomings. They are often written by people that themselves don't have a firm grasp on the subject and who think that they can help others by basically expounding upon their understanding of it, which is full of holes and misconceptions. When that is the case, the book can actually represent negative knowledge in that you end up knowing less than you did before, because you are now either more confused or, worse, you think you "know" things that aren't actually true.

Even books that don't have this problem -- i.e., written by people that really do know the material -- frequently suffer from the author's lack of ability to write well combined with little-to-no editorial review stemming from many of these types of books being self-published or close to it.

But this is NOT to say that ALL of these books are bad, but you should make the effort to review the book before you buy it, if possible, or buy it with the awareness that it's a gamble and don't pay more for it than you are willing to throw down the drain. That way, you aren't too disappointed when it turns out to be junk and are greatly surprised on the occasions that you find a useful gem.

 

Another good book for both reference as well as construction tips is the ARRL Handbook. I would even suggest getting two versions, a pre-1980 copy and a more recent version. They are very different when it comes to projects and construction techniques.

 

I have not looked at this particular book, so this is a generic observation.

Many of these types of books (i.e., books for a more-or-less lay audience) have serious shortcomings. They are often written by people that themselves don't have a firm grasp on the subject and who think that they can help others by basically expounding upon their understanding of it, which is full of holes and misconceptions. When that is the case, the book can actually represent negative knowledge in that you end up knowing less than you did before, because you are now either more confused or, worse, you think you "know" things that aren't actually true.

Even books that don't have this problem -- i.e., written by people that really do know the material -- frequently suffer from the author's lack of ability to write well combined with little-to-no editorial review stemming from many of these types of books being self-published or close to it.

But this is NOT to say that ALL of these books are bad, but you should make the effort to review the book before you buy it, if possible, or buy it with the awareness that it's a gamble and don't pay more for it than you are willing to throw down the drain. That way, you aren't too disappointed when it turns out to be junk and are greatly surprised on the occasions that you find a useful gem.

I think this is very true, I always try to learn something about the writers before committing to a purchase. Amazon is helpful too, the reviews are sometimes the decider for me, especially if the person is clearly an authority themselves.

Can you (or anyone) tell us the title of a seriously good book, something an expert would recommend, something aiming above an amateur/hobbyist like me.

 

I think this is very true, I always try to learn something about the writers before committing to a purchase. Amazon is helpful too, the reviews are sometimes the decider for me, especially if the person is clearly an authority themselves.

Can you (or anyone) tell us the title of a seriously good book, something an expert would recommend, something aiming above an amateur/hobbyist like me.

The Fields of Electronics.
https://www.amazon.com/Fields-Electronics-Understanding-Using-Physics/dp/0471222909

A practical new approach that brings together circuit theory and field theory for the practicing engineer
To put it frankly, the traditional education of most engineers and scientists leaves them often unprepared to handle many of the practical problems they encounter. The Fields of Electronics: Understanding Electronics Using Basic Physics offers a highly original correction to this state of affairs.
Most engineers learn circuit theory and field theory separately. Electromagnetic field theory is an important part of basic physics, but because it is a very mathematical subject, the connection to everyday problems is not emphasized. Circuit theory, on the other hand, is by its nature very practical. However, circuit theory cannot describe the nature of a facility, the interconnection of many pieces of hardware, or the power grid that interfaces each piece of hardware.
The Fields of Electronics offers a unique approach that brings the physics and the circuit theory together into a seamless whole for today's practicing engineers.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/book/10.1002/0471433934
With the proper background in basic math and physics this book will open your mind on the technology of electronics.
It doesn't teach circuits, it informs about how electrical science is used in electronics and electricity.

 

The Fields of Electronics.
https://www.amazon.com/Fields-Electronics-Understanding-Using-Physics/dp/0471222909


https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/book/10.1002/0471433934
With the proper background in basic math and physics this book will open your mind on the technology of electronics.

Time was, I could buy all my books for a semester for that price. I guess, even in relative terms, education was never cheap.

 

Time was, I could buy all my books for a semester for that price. I guess, even in relative terms, education was never cheap.

It must have been heavy carrying all of those stone ledgers.

I'm helping to pay for my 'baby' girls college education. Her 'rental' semester physics and math books costs are more than that book.

 

The Fields of Electronics.
https://www.amazon.com/Fields-Electronics-Understanding-Using-Physics/dp/0471222909


https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/book/10.1002/0471433934
With the proper background in basic math and physics this book will open your mind on the technology of electronics.
It doesn't teach circuits, it informs about how electrical science is used in electronics and electricity.

Many thanks, I just ordered a copy, 130 bucks but I trust your expertise after being on this site for several years, so once again thanks, I'm looking forward to learning something! To me it looks unusual and not something I'd be drawn too, and that kind of tells me to take note of it!

 

It must have been heavy carrying all of those stone ledgers.

I'm helping to pay for my 'baby' girls college education. Her 'rental' semester physics and math books costs are more than that book.

Fortunately, I never had to, nor was I expected to carry those books to class.

 

Fortunately, I never had to, nor was I expected to carry those books to class.

The teacher leaves for five minutes and the class goes to hell.

 

My copy of The Fields of Electronics has arrived (reviewed here), looking forward to reading this one.

 

Any textbook on theoretical or practical electronics would probably do the job. I would prefer to go with a subscription of a hobbyist magazine such as Nuts & Volts. I cut my teeth on Practical Wireless and Popular Electronics.

My recommendation would be to build more than study more. Start by building things based on concrete objectives. You learn more by doing and experimenting. When you are stuck, come right here to AAC for guidance and solutions.

 

How's a theoretical book on electronics going to teach you electronics you can't put theory to practical use

 

How's a theoretical book on electronics going to teach you electronics you can't put theory to practical use

You need both in the proportions needed for the task (not much theory is needed to wire black-box modules ordered from China) at hand. The theoretical background is what makes building practical electronics possible. Electronics is just one of many technologies based on fundamental electrical theory. If you know the fundamental electrical theory, each technology becomes a breeze to understand and much easier to master. It's not like that the other way around.

 

How's a theoretical book on electronics going to teach you electronics you can't put theory to practical use

And what is that rather absurd claim based on?

 

How's a theoretical book on electronics going to teach you electronics you can't put theory to practical use

The line between theory and practice is not a clear, bold one. The range of what qualifies as "practice" is quite variable as well.

For example is Ohm's Law theory or practice? Clearly the application of theory is a kind of practice. But it you define "practice" as "anything useful for practical application" you are just using a semantic trick to turn theory into practice for rhetorical reasons.

Practice not rooted in theory is weak, and can range from situationally competent—for example, a specialist technician who knows some particular technology but is lost in any other application—to cargo cutting and pigeon superstition.

The converse is true for a theoretician with no practical foundation. There are many post-graduate students who can mathematically analyze all sorts of electromagnetic phenomena, and simulate complex circuits getting "correct" results—yet a lack of practical experience leaves them unable to build even a simple working version of them.

The correct balance of the theoretical and practical is key to success in electronics. Your goals determine what the optimum mix is—but whether you are focused on the practical or the theoretical as your main interest, you will need both to be truly competent, creative, and effective.

 

What do you mean by "cut my teeth"

First, I take very serious issue with nuts and volts because, at least in the issues that I have seen, the projects ALWAYS require an arduino instead of something simple like a single comparator. So there is very seldom much electrical insight to be gained, but rather a cook-book of how to connect to the processor module without even a discussion of the voltages involved. Other publications seem to do better.
As for learning by doing, that seldom explains why things work the way that they do.
So really, first learning about circuits and ohms law , and then about power and heat, winds up being a better start. That foundation will help an individual understand how an amplifier works, as well as how the power supply for that amplifier works.

 

First, I take very serious issue with nuts and volts because, at least in the issues that I have seen, the projects ALWAYS require an arduino instead of something simple like a single comparator. So there is very seldom much electrical insight to be gained, but rather a cook-book of how to connect to the processor module without even a discussion of the voltages involved. Other publications seem to do better.
As for learning by doing, that seldom explains why things work the way that they do.
So really, first learning about circuits and ohms law , and then about power and heat, winds up being a better start. That foundation will help an individual understand how an amplifier works, as well as how the power supply for that amplifier works.

I agree with the spirit of your comment but one thing I have learned about teaching: you have to meet the student where they are standing. If a person enjoys theory you start there; if practice motivates them that’s how to begin.

If the love math, Ohm’s Law is a great first step—it they find math challenging then some resistor, LEDs, and a couple of meters is the way in. If they are excited by discrete components, then ICs will get them into it—if they are excited by the results then the Arduino ecosystem can be the best bet.

In every case though—the missing pieces are added in as you go. And it is an iterative thing: first theory, then practice to ground it, or, first practice and then theory to provide perspective and a framework. This back and forth goes on each facet supporting the other.

When you force someone to learn “the right way” you have a <50% they will cooperate.

 

....
When you force someone to learn “the right way” you have a <50% they will cooperate.

Motivation is the deciding factor. You can want to learn the theory and math or you can be forced to learned the theory and math.

if you are learning in a military environment, the alternative to non-cooperation and failure is years of mopping floors, grinding rust and painting the same things over and over by a crew of guys that love making your life a living hell.
One hell of a motivation factor that's been able to train farm boys and wannabe gangsters priceless technical skills for decades. Those that fail under those conditions, well, you didn't want them anyway in the ET shop.

 

I agree with the spirit of your comment but one thing I have learned about teaching: you have to meet the student where they are standing. If a person enjoys theory you start there; if practice motivates them that’s how to begin.
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When you force someone to learn “the right way” you have a <50% they will cooperate.

I agree that a short dabble in practical circuits helps build a base, but although I was fortunate that my personal journey started in the valve/tube era, through the transistor to the IC which resulted in a broad practical experience with electronics in general.
But today , in a practical sense, my first go-to when faced with a need to solve an electronics issue, is to look for an answer using a Pic Micro

 

Practical Electronics For Inventors wasn't wrote by dummy's its a great book. https://mlp6.pages.oit.duke.edu/Med...rth_Edition_By_Paul_Scherz_and_Simon_Monk.pdf