The Art of Electronics (2nd. Edition) by Paul Horowitz and Winfield Hill 1,152 pages. Hardback. December 1989. There are plenty of electronics text books which cover the often dry theory of semiconductors and microelectronics, but Horowitz and Hill adopted a hands-on approach instead - that of teaching electronics as a "black art", drawing from their wealth of hunches, rules of thumb and practical experiences of discrete semiconductors, logic devices and microprocessors. The book is comprehensive, authoritative, entertaining and highly readable. Very little physics is discussed as the Art of Electronics adopts a practical approach covering a very wide range of digital and analogue processes. Starting with the transistor, the FET, going on to op.amps and their applications, CMOS and TTL logic and circuits, together with their practical drawbacks, the latter half of the book then covers microprocessors and peripheral devices, professional p.c.b. design and manufacture, power supplies and a very useful chapter on battery types. The book finishes with measurement techniques and signal processors. A number of Appendices provide practical device data and more theory (including, how to draw circuit diagrams and how to use the oscilloscope). The book is getting slightly long in the tooth; co-author Winfield Hill told me nearly four years ago that a 3rd Edition was maybe a possibility, but it would still be hard to improve on the 2nd Edition. The basics of discrete electronic componentry will remain the same, and many of the logic families are still used today though they might not be the family of choice for manufacturers. There is scant reference, though, to modern microcontrollers or CAD software. However if you want a thoroughly practical, hands-on approach teaching the fundamentals (and more) of working with electronic components, then you really will not find a more comprehensive book. Apart from the lack of detail on microcontrollers and some inevitable component obsolescence, the book is a definite must for the more serious hobbyist, technician or student. You might be interested in the Student's Manual too. Click here to order the Art of Electronics from amazon.co.uk [ Back to Book Choices page ]