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basic electronics for hobbyists
By an Amazon.com customer
Basic Electricity, Revised Edition, Complete Course Volumes 1-5Basic Electricity, Revised Edition, Complete Course Volumes 1-5 by Van Valkenburgh
Buy new: $44.83 / Used from: $13.50
The first book you must read. although some people prefer Mims (next in list)
Getting Started in ElectronicsGetting Started in Electronics by Forrest M. Mims III
Buy new: $19.95 / Used from: $14.95
Tab Electronics Guide to Understanding Electricity and ElectronicsTab Electronics Guide to Understanding Electricity and Electronics by G. Randy Slone
Buy new: $16.47 / Used from: $10.14
Practical Electronics for InventorsPractical Electronics for Inventors by Paul Scherz
Buy new: $18.07 / Used from: $14.99
Teach Yourself Electricity and Electronics, Fourth EditionTeach Yourself Electricity and Electronics, Fourth Edition by Stan Gibilisco
Buy new: $23.07 / Used from: $18.86
Timer, Op Amp, and Optoelectronic Circuits & ProjectsTimer, Op Amp, and Optoelectronic Circuits & Projects by Forrest M. Mims III
Buy new: $12.95 / Used from: $25.55
All New Electronics Self-Teaching Guide (Wiley Self Teaching Guides)All New Electronics Self-Teaching Guide (Wiley Self Teaching Guides) by Harry Kybett
Buy new: $23.09 / Used from: $18.54
Electronic Sensor Circuits & ProjectsElectronic Sensor Circuits & Projects by Forrest M. Mims III
Buy new: $12.95 / Used from: $28.00
Getting the Most from Your Multimeter (BP)Getting the Most from Your Multimeter (BP) by R.A. Penfold
Buy new: $6.54 / Used from: $0.99
The Electronics Workbench: Tools, Testers, and Tips for the HobbyistThe Electronics Workbench: Tools, Testers, and Tips for the Hobbyist by Delton T. Horn
Buy used from: $0.45
How to Test Almost Everything ElectronicHow to Test Almost Everything Electronic by Delton Horn
Buy new: $19.75 / Used from: $11.25
Basic ElectronicsBasic Electronics by Gene McWhorter
Buy new: $19.95 / Used from: $3.99
Basic Digital ElectronicsBasic Digital Electronics by Alvis J. Evans
Buy new: $29.24 / Used from: $20.00
Grob's Basic ElectronicsGrob's Basic Electronics by Mitchel Schultz
Buy used from: $78.91
Introduction to ElectronicsIntroduction to Electronics by Earl Gates
Buy new: $83.31 / Used from: $28.00
A First Lab in Circuits and ElectronicsA First Lab in Circuits and Electronics by Yannis Tsividis
Buy new: $34.69 / Used from: $14.47
Build Your Own Electronics Workshop: Everything You Need to Design a Work Space, Use Test Equipment, Build and Troubleshoot Circuits (TAB Electronics Technician Library)Build Your Own Electronics Workshop: Everything You Need to Design a Work Space, Use Test Equipment, Build and Troubleshoot Circuits (TAB Electronics Technician Library) by Thomas Petruzzellis
Buy new: $19.77 / Used from: $14.80
Modern Dictionary of Electronics, Seventh EditionModern Dictionary of Electronics, Seventh Edition by Rudolf F. Graf Professional Technical Writer
Buy new: $107.00 / Used from: $6.22
There Are No Electrons: Electronics for EarthlingsThere Are No Electrons: Electronics for Earthlings by Kenn Amdahl
Buy new: $10.10 / Used from: $3.75
Starting Electronics Construction: Techniques, Equipment and ProjectsStarting Electronics Construction: Techniques, Equipment and Projects by Keith Brindley
Buy new: $23.12 / Used from: $35.93
excellent practical info
The Joy of Audio ElectronicsThe Joy of Audio Electronics by Charles Hansen
Buy used from: $29.99
Basic Electronics Vol. 1-6 (Paperback) SetBasic Electronics Vol. 1-6 (Paperback) Set by Van Valkenburgh
if you're interested in vacuum tubes you must read the first two books in this series
How to Use Oscilloscopes and Other Test Equipment (BP)How to Use Oscilloscopes and Other Test Equipment (BP) by R.A. Penfold
Buy new: $8.18 / Used from: $10.19
Build Your Own Test EquipmentBuild Your Own Test Equipment by Carl Bergquist
Buy new: $43.83 / Used from: $35.92
Making Printed Circuit BoardsMaking Printed Circuit Boards by Janet Louise Axelson
Buy used from: $8.95
Valve Amplifiers, Third EditionValve Amplifiers, Third Edition by Morgan Jones
Buy new: $56.65 / Used from: $52.50
Building Valve AmplifiersBuilding Valve Amplifiers by Morgan Jones
Buy new: $37.75 / Used from: $45.04
Principles of ElectronicsPrinciples of Electronics by Colin D. Simpson
Buy used from: $143.22
easily the simplest electronics book I've seen. not specifically written for hobbyists. requires high school math only. designed to accompany the Electronics Technician distance education program (George Brown College). see my review
Foundation ElectronicsFoundation Electronics by B.G. Barker
Buy used from: $4.99
Starting Electronics, Third EditionStarting Electronics, Third Edition by Keith Brindley
Buy new: $22.45 / Used from: $14.26
Nuts & VoltsNuts & Volts
Buy new: $19.95
Everyday Practical ElectronicsEveryday Practical Electronics
Buy new: $78.92
Electronics WorldElectronics World
Buy new: $121.08
current title for one of the finest magazines ever published. original title: Wireless World. check out wikipedia for history using this second title.
Elektor Electronics - English EditionElektor Electronics - English Edition
Buy new: $113.00
Circuit CellarCircuit Cellar
Buy new: $29.95
The Essence of Power Electronics (Essence of Engineering)The Essence of Power Electronics (Essence of Engineering) by Joel N. Ross
Buy used from: $8.28
Essence Analog ElectronicsEssence Analog Electronics by Colin Lunn
Buy new: $24.95 / Used from: $7.89
Electronics Projects For Dummies (For Dummies (Math & Science))Electronics Projects For Dummies (For Dummies (Math & Science)) by Mr. Earl Boysen
Buy new: $16.49 / Used from: $10.09
Circuitbuilding Do-It-Yourself For DummiesCircuitbuilding Do-It-Yourself For Dummies by H. Ward Silver
Buy new: $16.49 / Used from: $9.34
The Electronics CompanionThe Electronics Companion by Anthony Craig Fischer-Cripps
Buy new: $29.95 / Used from: $25.68
has nice 1 - 2 page explanations of key concepts