Best book for getting started in electronics

[Vexer]

I am looking for a good book designed for beginners that teaches everything that I need to know to start creating my own circuits. A couple weeks ago, I purchased the Art of Electronics. This doesn't seem to be a very beginner-friendly book. It never really explains what a resistor does or what current and voltage are and seems to move very fast. I was hoping you guys could point me towards a book that would suit a  beginner like myself.

Also, I really enjoy all of the blog episodes and can't wait for more!

Thanks,
Vexer

[djsb]

Try these free books

http://www.ibiblio.org/kuphaldt/electricCircuits/index.htm

If you live in the UK or USA a good magazine is EPE (everyday practical electronics). This has a TEACH IN series that starts from the beginning. It's available online as a pdf edition and back issues can be bought on CDROM.

http://www.epemag3.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1

HTH.

David.

[Kiriakos-GR]

The word  " i biblio " at the above link , its Greek words = intelligent book 

[Zero999]

It depends on what level you're talking about?

Getting Started in Electronics by Forrest Mims is good for beginners but one should bear in mind that it does contain a couple of minor errors (nothing too bad, just some of the example circuits aren't quite right), it's not comprehensive (you'll need to read other books as well) and that it's probably the only book in the RadioShack series which is worth buying. I like it because it's graphical, easy to follow and doesn't contain any maths beyond basic arithmetic which an average 12 year old should understand.

The Art of Electronics is a very god book but if you've never done Ohm's law before, you will struggle with it.

[Simon]

To be honest I'm a bit surprised at the way "the art of electronics" jumps into things and mentions things that are explained later instead of just explaining them, if your doing a 50 page explanation on transistor amps (which in my view is going way too long winded, i just want to know how to built the correct one not how all the simpler models we don't use fail) without explaining other underlying things you've slightly missed target, but then it was written in 1989 when opamps were not all the rage.

[EEVblog]

The Art of Electronics is a very god book but if you've never done Ohm's law before, you will struggle with it.

I agree.
As brilliant as AofE is as a reference, its not the best book for beginners to learn with.

Dave.

[orbiter]

I recently bought these three books which would suit you pretty well.. The first.. 'How to test almost everything electronic' is great, it explains pretty well what you'll need to know as a beginner and is easy to understand.
The second book 'Make Electronics' is more of a practical book showing simple circuits you can build whilst explaining how the components work in that circuit.
The third book 'All new electronics self teching guide' is more of a classroom type book with a little theory at the start of each subject then ending in a sort of test at the end.

As a beginner myself have found these books to be very helpful indeed.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Test-Almost-Anything-Electronic/dp/0830641270/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1283248973&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Make-Electronics-Learning-Through-Discovery/dp/0596153740/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1283248997&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Electronics-Teaching-Guide-Self-Teaching-Guides/dp/0470289619/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1283249026&sr=1-1

[TopherTheME]

I think the book "All New Electronics Self-Teaching Guide" by Kybett would be perfect for you.

http://www.amazon.com/Electronics-Self-Teaching-Guide-Teaching-Guides/dp/0470289619/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1283367267&sr=8-1

Its starts at a very low level and practically holds your hand while you read through each chapter. It's in a Q&A format and has a lot of example questions and problems with solutions. My favorite part is that it skips all the BS and just teaches you what you need to know to get started.

[Professor Fudge]

I have the forest mimms book from radio shack and I'm reading it now. Its pretty good for a beginner because its cheap and has lots of diagrams!

[Vexer]

Thanks alot for all of your replies!

I think I am going to read through Mims' book, and then purchase another book to supplement that(or maybe just read The Art of Electronics).

[Zero999]

Did you get my private message?

[Vexer]

Yes I did.

[Zero999]

Good, when you've read the Getting started in Electronics ebook, please let us know how you got on with it.

[scorched]

i mentioned this in another post but requires repeating here.
This is an online version of the US Navy electronics training material.
From beginner to expert material.
http://www.tpub.com/neets/

you can buy it in book or pdf format too.