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Ask HN: Best Layman's Book on Electricity

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Re: Ask HN: Best Layman's Book on Electricity

#11

Post by kazinator »

Decades ago, like in the 1950's perhaps, the US Navy created a training manual about electricity and electronics for its personnel (a reasonable facsimile of laymen). This was used as the basis for a book called Basic Electricity.

1970:

https://www.amazon.ca/Basic-Electricity-Bureau-Naval-Personn...

2002:

https://www.amazon.ca/Handbook-Basic-Electricity-Naval-Perso...

2020:

https://www.amazon.ca/Basic-Electricity-Bureau-Naval-Personn...

Re: Ask HN: Best Layman's Book on Electricity

#13

Post by abetusk »

"Practical Electronics for Inventors" by Paul Scherz [0]. Not only does it have practical circuits it also has chapters on theory presented in such a way as to have me understand it.

I think many of the books I read in the past shied away from complex math, linear algebra, etc. whereas PEfI uses them as needed. "The Art of Electronics", for example, I found to be absolutely abysmal.

It's not an in depth book, it's pretty much a beginners book, but it's thorough and practical.

[0] https://www.amazon.com/Practical-Electronics-Inventors-Fourt...

Re: Ask HN: Best Layman's Book on Electricity

#14

Post by maCDzP »

kazinator wrote: post #11

Decades ago, like in the 1950's perhaps, the US Navy created a training manual about electricity and electronics for its personnel (a reasonable facsimile of laymen). This was used as the basis for a book called Basic Electricity . 1970: https://www.amazon.ca/Basic-Electricity-Bureau-Naval-Personn... 2002: https://www.amazon.ca/Handbook-Basic-Electricity-Naval-Perso... 2020: https://www.amazon.ca/Basic-Electricity-Bu…

Thank your for introducing me to books by the US navy. A treasure trove!

Re: Ask HN: Best Layman's Book on Electricity

#15

Post by Bo0kerDeWitt »

abetusk wrote: post #13

"Practical Electronics for Inventors" by Paul Scherz [0]. Not only does it have practical circuits it also has chapters on theory presented in such a way as to have me understand it. I think many of the books I read in the past shied away from complex math, linear algebra, etc. whereas PEfI uses them as needed. "The Art of Electronics", for example, I found to be absolutely abysmal. It's not an in depth book, it's pr…

I can add to this as I've read parts of the 3rd edition.

First off, it's a one thousand page textbook so it's not a short read. However, the second chapter is just called "Theory" and it's about 200 pages long, and that single chapter is an excellent primer on electrical engineering.

Don't get the kindle version, it's too hard to read on Kindle.

Re: Ask HN: Best Layman's Book on Electricity

#17

Post by lathiat »

Not sure it will go deep enough for what you’re asking here but the “Practical Engineering” YouTube channel (which has some great videos about random bits of civil infrastructure) recently released a book “Engineering in Plain Sight”

https://practical.engineering/book

Re: Ask HN: Best Layman's Book on Electricity

#19

Post by progman32 »

kube-system wrote: post #6

Getting Started in Electronics by Forrest M. Mims III It makes basic electronics very intuitive.

Seconded. For intuitive learners out there - it won't teach you a bunch of math but it will get you enough of a framework to start seeing landmarks and self-directing to relevant subjects for later deeper dives. Just having the vocabulary helps a ton, and this book provides it. It could be read in 2 or 3 dedicated sessions, and comes with all sorts of interesting circuits to build up to really kickstart that intuition.

Re: Ask HN: Best Layman's Book on Electricity

#20

Post by detrites »

abetusk wrote: post #13

"Practical Electronics for Inventors" by Paul Scherz [0]. Not only does it have practical circuits it also has chapters on theory presented in such a way as to have me understand it. I think many of the books I read in the past shied away from complex math, linear algebra, etc. whereas PEfI uses them as needed. "The Art of Electronics", for example, I found to be absolutely abysmal. It's not an in depth book, it's pr…

Just found PEfI's 4th edition online and looked through it. It's beautifully laid out with clear illustrations, summary tables and well-explained text. I'm not usually tempted to buy a hardcopy but this looks super handy.
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