Rating: 
Summary: 11 Year going and still viable, that says it all
Review: From the early 1980s, I've read both the first and second editions over 3 times and the heuristics they use remain second to none, 11 year later. This is THE book of Electronics for non-engineers, if more math is needed, Numbers.With technology moving at a logarithmic phase, its a tribute to their presentation that AoE continues to be sold without a recent update and their keen circuit sense shows that many of the technologies the focused on remain available today. Since the second edition cheap computer circuit simulators, I use Electronics Workbench but many are available, can help clarify areas were H&H may leap and bound when discussing circuits [ explanations can still be found by cross references the book via the index.] Design software makes breadboarding less necessary for testing concepts. Choice of software depends on cost and the sophistication of your design. This book is not for the casual tinkerer, kit assembler, or an extended version of '1001 electronic circuits.' It turns astute readers into circuit designers, not everyone is cut out for that field. Its been a while since I read Steve Ciarcia in Byte, thought of Heathkit, saw an issue of Radio or Popular Electronics, but DigiKey remains a key supplier, Radio Shack remains the 'quick fix' and H&H lives on. I rarely have time to build circuits on custom PC boards these days, but AoE has given me a cognitive lifetime warranty on all devices I've opened that screwed tightly shut said " ... VOID IF REMOVED." For the next edition, could authors PLEASE beg the publishers to print the book on acid free paper? My copy is terribly jaundiced.
Rating:
Summary: It's a cookbook not a textbook!
Review: Excellent resource for all engineers/technicians who need quick solutions to common (and not-so-common) problems. The book is more an electronics "cookbook" than a textbook, in that the authors assume the reader is familiar with basic theory but might need help in identifying the best solution to a particular problem. It is not an "introduction to electronics" but, I would strongly recommend it to beginners who wish to augment a standard textbook or course with some good practical knowledge. The authors are very effective in reducing even some of the most complex aspects of electronics into easy-to-understand terms. This book is like having a good, experienced electrical engineer available 24 hours a day!
Rating:
Summary: As already mentioned: The Electronics Bible
Review: I'm an undergraduate student in physics and electronic engineering. Although it hasn't been used as a textbook in my engineering course, it was used as the textbook for both second and third year electronics courses in my physics course. At any rate, it is regarded as the "Bible" of reference texts. Be aware that it is in reality a reference - although it can be used to learn electronics, there are other books that are probably more appropriate. However, for anyone between decent electronics enthusiast and professional electronic engineer, this is an indispensable tool, and I recommend it to anyone who considers themselves in this category. It has proved its worth over and over again (I purchased my copy in 1992, and despite its 10 year age, it is still highly relevant and useful). I anticipate the next version (should there be one) with great eagerness. This is one book that I couldn't be apathetic about reviewing. BUY IT!
Rating: 
Summary: Great, but flawed
Review: A great textbook and reference guide on fundamental electronics. My only complaint is the index, which frequently presents with incorrect page references. I'd like to see H & H come out with a third edition with a corrected index and some more modern circuits, such as LCDs and TRIACs.
Rating:
Summary: DD
Review: I generally like this book but it takes a great deal of work to really understand what they are talking about. They claim that load lines and small signal models are not necessary but then use elements of both. The book is much easier to understand if you include these concepts. It seems to me that these concepts were actually in the back of their minds when they wrote the book. Trying to visualize the path of operation of a transistor without using the output characteristic curves seems very frustrating. Their explanation of the input impedance of an emitter follower is very confusing unless you already have a very thorough understanding of Q-points and what this actually represents on the characteristic curves. If you use their book as a starting point after having a good understanding of analog electronics engineering, then it is a good book. Likewise, the chapters on digital electronics are good, but only if you already have a good grasp of digital electronics engineering. Not many electrical engineering textbooks explain the operation of a differential ampifier well and this one does not either. They do explain the design of constant current sources well, but it makes much more sense if a set of output characteristic curves are used along with their explanation. Not many textbooks really explain how a computer works as a sequential machine. This one does not either. They simply talk about the different circuits used in a computer, but not how they actually work to create a sequential machine. They give examples of circuits that do not work and I generally liked that idea. Their explanation of feedback and frequency response leaves a great deal of information out. Again, if you already have a solid grasp of these concepts, then these sections are good.
Rating:
Summary: It's a cookbook not a textbook!
Review: Excellent resource for all engineers/technicians who need quick solutions to common (and not-so-common) problems. The book is more an electronics "cookbook" than a textbook, in that the authors assume the reader is familiar with basic theory but might need help in identifying the best solution to a particular problem. It is not an "introduction to electronics" but, I would strongly recommend it to beginners who wish to augment a standard textbook or course with some good practical knowledge. The authors are very effective in reducing even some of the most complex aspects of electronics into easy-to-understand terms. This book is like having a good, experienced electrical engineer available 24 hours a day!
Rating:
Summary: Great, but flawed
Review: A great textbook and reference guide on fundamental electronics. My only complaint is the index, which frequently presents with incorrect page references. I'd like to see H & H come out with a third edition with a corrected index and some more modern circuits, such as LCDs and TRIACs.
Rating:
Summary: An electronic treasure
Review: Simply, it is an electronic treasure, it covers a very wide range of electronics plus a very helpful circuits, but it has one disadvantage, that is, the excercises inside the book, they must be solved in the end of the book just to be sure that you are doing well with the book. Except that it is a great reachy book.
Rating:
Summary: An Impressive Book - Highly Recommend
Review: This is an impressive and detailed book 1100 pages of electronics circuits, diagram, and tips. If you started at the beginning and worked your way through chapter by chapter it would be similar to taking a complete course on electronics. It has 15 chapters plus a large appendix. For example the early chapters are basic introductions that quickly graduate to transistors and circuits progressing through to switches and linear circuits. By chapter 5 they proceed to filters then on to power supplies and regulators, and special amplifiers and shielding. Then they make a transition to digital circuits midway through the book, then again using that as a basis to make the next step to microcomputers by chapter 10. That continues to chapter 13 where the subject turns to RF and microwaves. The book ends with examples of measurement. So all in all it is a step by step review from simple voltage sources through computers to RF with many examples. It is all easy to read and quite clear. The book is not designed for a novice but probably better someone in the field and needs a refresher or one excellent reference source. Having graduated EE more than a few years ago I need a quick reference in the office where I can refresh my memory or design something new, or see what if any new developments are available. To make a long story short, as a user I do use the book but as a reference. When you first get the book do a quick read to get a general understanding and then go back to the book as required. The book is an excellent addition to any technical reference library. It is worth the cost, no brainer. Four or five stars. Industrial user. Jack in Toronto, (Ph.D., P.Eng.)
Rating:
Summary: not for novices, but very good
Review: This is an extremely dense book; it covers linear components in one chapter, whereas most textbooks take three. It often requires staring at a circuit, thinking about it in different ways, until you finally see it "their way" and what they are saying makes sense. Electronics is very similar to physics, and this books mirrors that approach by introducing simple approximations first, then teaching you where the simple models break down and you have to employ a second approximation, and so on.
| 
