Customer Reviews

Teach Yourself Electricity and Electronics

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is book is mainly concerned with the theory of electronics, and presents it without getting bogged down in advanced math. However, it does not really explain things - most of it reads like a summary of a more detailed book or an article from an encyclopedia - very dry. Also, I found it rather brief on the practical aspects - here, you will not learn how to read schematics, understand why components are where they are, and take educated guess at how to adapt a circuit for your needs.
In this sense, it is not a practical beginners' book. In my opinion, if you are serious about theory, this is not the book for you, and if you want to do practical projects, you will not find anything here.

I think this is a particularly exciting text for professionals, hobbyists and technicians anxious to get a good grasp on the basis of electricity and electronics. "Teach Yourself Electricity and Electronics" comprises 700+ pages of well thought out tutorials. I would imagine it would be in great demand throughout schools, colleges and even universities.

Teach Yourself Electricity and Electronics is divided into four major sections: Direct Current, Alternating Current, Basic Electronics, and Advanced Electronics and Related Technology. Each chapter has comprehensive qizzes and each section finishes with a multiple-choice test. It is notable that you need nothing more than junior high school level geometry, algebra and physics to cope. There is also a "final" examination!

I think it represents excellent value for money to hobbyists, professionals and technicians. Comes very highly recommended from me, and with very good reason.

I must preface this by saying I have only completed the first chapter. To this point, I find the material very clearly presented, with no errors. Gibilisco starts with the absolute basics, by describing the composition of atoms. He progresses into explaining atomic numbers, atomic weight, compounds, and shows how electrical flow is achieved by electron movement from one atom to another. He defines amps, volts (also known as EMF, electromotive force) and introduces ohms law. Coulombs are clearly defined and discussed, as are semiconductors. There's more, but you get the idea; this book builds knowledge through the logical progression of simple concepts, well explained and clearly illustrated.

There is a test at the end of every chapter. I've found the presence of a chapter content test to be a pretty good indicator of a quality self teaching text, and that's certainly true here. The tests are multiple choice, and structured so that 1 answer is correct, while another is *almost* correct... the result really makes you think, as another reviewer noted. The tests are open book, with a closed book final exam at the end of the text.

I should comment on another review, which stated that the first chapter test questions were not relevant to the chapter content. This is incorrect; in fact, every question in the first test can be answered by referring to the first chapter of the text, even the 'photocell' question cited in the review. It's all there; you do have to be prepared to read and study, but the material is all present.

If I had any criticism at all to this point, I would state that I find the authors writing style to be somewhat dry. (I think I'm going to ship him a box of commas, semicolons, and exclamation marks). However, the short, simple sentences may actually enhance learning... and this is a minor quibble, in any case. Just don't expect it to read like a Thriller novel.

I've encountered books in the past that started off wonderfully, and bogged down half way through. As I've only just started the text, I cannot state whether this will happen. However, the high marks given this text by other reviewers are very encouraging.

In closing, it's very clear that the author has exerted enormous effort to create a particularly well written and thorough self teaching text. This book was very clearly designed from the start to be a "one stop shop"... literally, all you need to learn electronics theory, all in one package. It has the capability to impart an in-depth knowledge of electronics to anyone who works at it. Most books aren't this clear; few books are this detailed.

But if other authors will follow Gibilisco's example, more will be.

I had to put my bits in to complement all the great reviews. Gibilisco indeed does a fantastic job introducing all of the basic concepts of electricity and electronics. The first two parts (550+ pages) are exemplary in their treatment of electronic components. I finally understood how to analyze an LRC circuit!!

The second two parts, however, are not nearly as helpful. Perhaps it's because the topics become too complex for the simple presentations use in the first half, but I found the sections on Basic and Advanced Electronics (the last 250+ pages) to be little more than a cursory overview of various components and uses. Good as a very basic introduction, but little practical value.

Overall, I enjoyed reading the book and learned a great deal from the first half. The second parts were interesting but less useful.

This book explains the theoretical concepts of electricity and electronics very well. The quizzes really make you think, but they're open-book. The tests and the final exam are, as the author promises, easier, but they're closed-book. I've never seen a book that has so many well-written practice questions. I would like to see more material on advanced systems concepts and aerospace applications, but maybe that is asking too much for an introductory text (and it reflects my own bias!). I have recommended this book to several of my colleagues.

The writer does a great job of teaching you the things that you need to know. I disagree with the above review that talked about how this writer likes to put in his personal preferences and views and such and I disagree. Do not let that throw off your chosing of this book.

I am about 1/2 way through this book and gotta admit, I am bored with it. Not for lack of content, but for the sake of I want to build something! If each chapter of this book had included a lab section to show you the effects of what you were just taught, it would be perfect.

There are many complex (to me anyways, someone that has been out of school and anywhere near algebra for 20 years) math formulas that the writer explains rather well (the thing about the imaginary numbers is still a bit beyond me). I don't think it was too much at all though. It's just that, I want to apply this stuff to something material. I am now going to look for a book that actually teaches you some hands on stuff. Tell me what to buy, I will and then show me how to build it. This book does not do that but it will definately remain on my shelf because for reference, it is excellent in that respect.

No complaints about the writing style of this author. He definately knows his stuff and is able to relay that info rather well. Nice job.

For cryin out loud though...let me build something!!

This book is a great tool for someone who wants to know more about electricity and electronics, but doesn't have access to a course and doesn't have tons to spend on a huge textbook. This book will be most useful to you if you have some familiarity with how physics works, but even if you don't this book should work as a starting point. On the other hand, if you already have more than a "layman's" knowledge of electronics do not expect that this book will delve into ultra-specialized topics. This book will prepare you with the same knowledge you should expect from a first real course on electronics. It is complete with chapter quizes and a final exam.

Unlike some of the other reviewers I did not find the author's style to be either patronizing or offensive. I found his commentary and illustrations both useful and insightful and was thoroughly impressed with the authors clarity and ability as an expositor and teacher. Highly recommended.

This is the only book I have found, on practically any subject, that has so many test questions. And they are all in multiple choice format. They aren't too easy or too hard. They really measure how well you know the material.

The book takes you from specifics to generalities. It seems to get easier as you go, not harder, even though the stuff at the end (robotics, AI) is quite advanced.

The book starts simply enough to be of use to beginners and grows complex enough to help professionals who need a review, such as myself. The tests are great for highlighting what you need to know.

I am taking a college level course in EE and bought this book in hopes of deciphering some of my cryptic Hambley text. I think this book was quite a bit low-level for my needs, but it would be an excellent intro for a junior high school student. This book assumes absolutely no knowledge of Physics, or really math for that matter. The chapter questions are all multiple choice and very basic conceptual questions. But, it does touch on a lot of topics, giving a nice broad view of the field. I give this book 2 stars for my needs, but I rated it 3 stars because I think it is probably very good for someone who has no knowledge of basic Physics.