I really like this book. Yeah, there may be a couple spots that aren't exactly perfect, and I agree that for the cost of this book they could have sprung for colored pictures, but I don't think any of that takes away from the rest of the wonderful aspects of this book. It is split up nicely into 8 "mini-books." The table of contents was done nicely as well. I can definitely see myself coming back to this book simply as a reference. You forget what a symbol was on an electrical drawing? Just review the table of contents to find out which page standard electrical symbols are on, check it out, and keep going with what you were doing.
Like most "for Dummies" books, this is presented in a very down to earth, layman's terms format. The analogies the author uses are very helpful when trying to mentally picture certain concepts. Within the first 100 pages your understanding of the generic term "electricity" or "electronics" will grow immeasurably.
The author also frequently name drops Radio Shack for components and other materials, which I don't personally have a gripe with considering that having part numbers for folks to be able to write down, bring to their local shop, and purchase for the projects in the book can be very handy for beginners. Not a con in my opinion.
Just as a note, and I'm sure this has probably been mentioned by others, if you don't already have ANY tools/components, then it could probably be a little spendy to get the basics needed for the projects contained within this book; consequently, if you're looking to start playing around with electronics, you're going to need to get that stuff anyway. As a note, I picked up the Mastech MS8268 digital multimeter right here at Amazon for about $30. Granted it's not going to be the industrial standard of something like a Fluke, but if you're just starting out, or you don't use multimeter daily for your job, it will fit the bill nicely. It even lights up the terminals you need to use based upon what you're trying to measure.
At the end of the day I am just thrilled what I got. Met and exceeded my expectations. I will recommend this book to any of my friends/family looking to get involved in such a fun hobby.
UPDATE:
I will occasionally keep this review updated with critical error fixes I find throughout the book as I come across them.
Error Update 1:
The "Coin Toss" Project - Page 111: There are actually 2 errors on this page.
The first error is under step # 4 "Install the Resistors," where it lists which resistors to put in which PCB holes. The very first one is for the 1k Ohm resistor to be placed from strip 9 to strip 10. In fact it should be placed from strip 15 to strip 20, which can be confirmed by reviewing the completed image on page 112 or 120.
The second error is step # 6. The entire step can be ignored. It appears as though it is an accidental copy from the prototype build step # 2 on page 99.
Error Update 2:
Page 218: Project 2-1: Using a Current-Limiting Resistor: There is an error in the parts list. The lamp & lamp holder parts can be deleted, for what you actually need is a 5mm 1/4W LED.
Error Update 3:
Page 265 "Example" Paragraph - Line # 1: Replace "capacitance" with "inductance"
Page 265 "Example" Paragraph - Line # 4: Replace "farads" with "henrys"
Page 265 "Example" Paragraph - Line # 5: Replace "0.1 F" with 0.1 H"
Error Update 4:
Page 314: The completed project image shows 2 unused resistors in the bottom-left. These can be deleted/ignored.
Page 315, Step # 3: The 330 Ohm resistor is listed as being placed in hole J15, but it should actually be J16.
Page 315, Step # 4: The cathode (the shorter of the two leads) should go in hole J11, and the anode (the longer of the two leads) should go in hole J6.
Page 315, Step # 7: The entire paragraph about the BASIC stamp board can be ignored.
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Top reviews from other countries
Pierre Gagnon
tres pertinent pour s amuse a faire des montages.
Reviewed in Canada on May 10, 2023
Markku The Finn
Quite difficult even for a dummy like me
Reviewed in Germany on February 22, 2022Massimiliano LUPETTI
Semplice ed abbastanza completo.
Reviewed in Italy on December 29, 2018