Product Description

This Engineer's Mini Notebook features more than two dozen 555 timer circuits that you can build, 50 operational amplifier (OpAmp) circuits, and a wide range of optoelectronic circuits and projects, including many LED and lightwave circuits. This is a compilation of three of Mims's best-selling notebooks: 555 Timer IC Circuits; OpAmp Projects; and Optoelectronics.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #54605 in Books
• Published on: 2004-02
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 128 pages

About the Author
Forrest M. Mims, III, has written dozens of books, hundreds of articles, invented scientific devices, and travelled to the Amazon for NASA. He loves to share his knowledge with eager students!

Customer Reviews

Makes you remember why you wanted to be an engineer
I simply love this little book. Reading it has made me remember why I wanted to become an engineer in the first place - to build circuits that do cool and interesting tasks. You just don't see books like this anymore. Since the standardization of computing hardware, most engineering books are written at a very high level and do not have anything to say on circuitry that is readable by someone without a master's degree. That's where this book comes in. In less than 130 pages and for only $13 this book contains easy-to-read instructions on the construction of dozens of interesting yet simple circuits. The author even manages to make the 555-timer device, which is perhaps the simplest of all IC's, the centerpiece of dozens of interesting circuits. Each circuit requires only a page or two of information which includes complete schematic instructions and some notes on what the circuit does and why it is useful. Circuit assembly tips and pin-outs of IC's are included. I think what I liked best about this book was its section on optoelectronics. In simple language the author describes lenses and optical fibers, and then goes on to describe simple circuits that use the power of light to perform practical tasks. Since it is presented in "engineer's notebook" format, there is not much in the way of theory presented in this book. It is really good for students who are maybe thinking about a career path in engineering and would like to get a taste of what circuit design is about. However, even if you are a practicing engineer, I think that you will find the circuits in this little book both useful and entertaining. I highly recommend it.

Should Have Been a Part of His Engineer's Notebook
It is unfortunate the info and backround presented in this book is missing from his 'Engineer's Notebook'. His books seem to always overlap some of the same circuits. Sometimes I feel the publisher has him thin out info to sell more titles. His 'Circuit Scrapbook' should have remained his scrapbook. It has typos, incomplete info and contradicts his other statements using the same IC's and circuits. As a result, some circuits do not work as described or not at all. I've purchased about all his books dating from 1980 so I feel I have a good perception of his work. Sometimes I feel I have paid twice for the same info/circuits because of this duplication. This book is a good one but should have been included in his 'Engineer's Notebook'

Review of Forrest Mims III book
I like the electronics books by Forrest Mims III, including this one. His books are excellent for scientific professionals like me who need to construct an eletronic circuit, but do not have training in electonics. I used the circuit on the bottom of page 104 to measure the time delay between a signal to open a light shutter and the actual opening time. The diagrams are very clear, and the components are labeled, so that you can buy what you need and assemble it yourself. Well worth the low price!