Electronic Principles

Rating:
Summary: The best book available for this level of electronics.
Review: "Electronic Principles" covers mostly semiconductors; diodes, transistors, FET's, oscillators, op-amps, etc. This book is for the person who already knows basic AC/DC. This is a technician level book used by colleges and trade schools. Only basic algebra is needed to understand this book, no calculus. Malvino is the most gifted writer of electronics that I have ever come across. The first edition of this book was used by my college where I graduated with a degree in electronics in 1976. Since then I have owned the fourth and fifth edition as reference. Malvino has a rare gift for explaining technical material. His writing is both technical and personal and the same time. Thank you Albert Paul Malvino for teaching me 90% of what I know about semiconductors. No other electronics author comes close to your gift of making technical material understandable.

Rating:
Summary: good for the beginner
Review: After stumbling thru numerous basic engineering and electronics texts, I finally found Malvino's clear simple presentation which relies almost entirely on algebraic formulations and builds from basic principles to advanced circuits including a detailed treatment of transistor fundamentals and the the ubiquitous op-amp and proceeds to amplifiers, multivibrators , comparators, oscillators, and filters, etc. The presentation is logical and easy to follow. The book avoids an overly academic approach in favor of a practical emphasis without sacrificing accuracy or logic. This is a best bet for a beginner.

Rating:
Summary: I still use Malvino twenty-plus years later
Review: Electronic Principles, Second Edition, was my textbook in college in the late-70's/early 80's. It was great then, and it's great now. I updated my library with the Sixth Edition a few years ago and I feel just as rewarded as I had when I first learned the subject through the Second.

I design electronic circuits sporadically -- I'm mainly a programmer and writer by trade -- and I need periodic reminders of the theory and math involved in designing and solving circuits. Malvino was and continues to be my main source, along with The Art of Electronics by Horowitz and Hill and Calculus for Electronics by Richmond.

Thank you, Dr. Malvino!

Rating:
Summary: The best book on Electronic basics
Review: I do not know what Dr. malvino wanted to do? Teach Electronics to kids? Because this is what the book is truly capable of doing. Indeed this is a must read for any Electronic student and professional alike to learn/improve the concepts of electronic. To understand the basic concepts of Electronics is no easy task. But with this book it will be. The design is first class with easy fluid language and the explanation is done with detailed simplified diagrams as well as good examples.
I am a process engineering student and truly, without this book (sixth edition) understanding the remaining part of my course would be quite a task.
In the book Mr.Malvino (who is a Phd by the way) starts with the very basics of electronics (Norton theory, semiconductors diodes etc.) and progresses with transistors in detail and moves through Op-Amps and FETs and MOSfETS and ends with power sources.

Each chapter starts with the objectives (or what you will learn at the end of the lesson), vocabulary, the matter along with mathematical or elctronic exampleswhich are solved and ends with a trouble shooting matter. Following that you get a summary (very handy in your last minute rivisions before exams),some intersting student assignment, job interview questions, more problems to be solved, Critical thinking and trouble shooting problems. Also some facts about electronic and "did you know" sections to interest you and see to it that you never get bored. After completing this entire series, you end up knowing the stuff really well. Truly the best book in learning as far as I know.
So do buy this book and happy learning.

Rating:
Summary: Electronic Principles
Review: I feel this is the best book on Electronics I have ever read. It is easy to understand, comes right to the point and makes you feel so at ease with the subject.

I think the book is outstanding because it explains transistors better than any other book I have ever read. Rather than a heavy use of formulas, Malvino relies on concrete explanations of the physical mechanism behind transistor action. On this foundation he then goes on to explain op amps, active filters, and many other advanced topics in the absolute clearest possible way.

I have read the other reviews on this book and one in particular AMAZES me. It is hard to understand the above criticism of this book-- perhaps he has not read many books on the subject.

I feel the conversational "jargon" is a great aid in benefitting the reader, and feel his criticism does not understand that this book is written so the neophyte is instructed and does not feel intimidated.

Naturally, each is entitled to their opinion, but it is hard for me to believe that such intense dislike for such a great book can be expressed with little or no reason.

In conclusion, in my opinion, I think the positive reviews from India, Alaska and Switzerland more closely describe this wonderful book.

Rating:
Summary: The BEST book on electronics, period.
Review: I've been planning to write this review for quite the longest time. I first came across Dr Malvino via the 3rd edition of Electronic Principles. I happened to buy it for like 2$ at a library used book sale. I read the book and, almost magically, electronics, a subject I enjoyed but happened to be very weak in, made absolute sense. After this I bought the latest edition. Electronic Principles by Dr. Malvino is the greatest book on learning electronics. It has helped me master the field of electronics. Its a good book for beginners and a constant reference for advanced readers like myself. Especially as a university graduate I refer to the book constantly. Malvino was the only author who stresses Thevenin theorem's importance, which is true because it is everywhere in the book. He explains diodes, transitors including AC and DC equivalent circuits, with crystal clear clarity. For example, before reading Dr Malvino's book I had no clue how to calculate input and output impedance of ANY amplifier, after reading the book I can do these calculations. Malvino's clear explanations are excellent, and have helped me become an Electronics "wiz". Thank You Dr. Malvino for helping me learn a very beloved subject that was taught terribly to me in University, and probably many other Universities.
For the critics, sure its a beginners book, but if you know EVERY electronic concept Malvino writes about in the book and can prove it to me by writing it down on paper without referring to another book, then I'll accept your review of the book. And every discipline of humanity, from basketweaving, ballet, or electronics, is based upon solid principles. And Dr. Malvino has them all in his book, and builds upon them. I can't help you about Ballet or Basketweaving though :)
To the people who read the Pacific Northwesters review of this book and gives this book 1 star, and, sadly, suggests Thomas Floyd's books. Sincerely I say do not listen to this Pacific Northwesterner. To this critic I say this, your review uses such big words like Non-Absolutism. Non-Absolutism did not affect Dr. Malvino's abilty to explain electronics clearly. The issue of "epistemology" you babble about, and the "subversion of the learning process" I ask you this, why do so many people (including myself) learn electronics from Dr. Malvino's books? That is a true philosophical question for you to ponder. Now about books from Thomas Floyd, his books on electronics are "Electronic Devices" and "Electronics Fundamentals" Finding these books on Amazon and reading customer reviews you notice a few things. First you will not find 10 customers giving ratings of 4 stars or higher, maybe 2 customers at the most. And you'll see the usual bad comments like "their were many mistakes in the text" or "this book explains stuff terribly" or the best comment, "I hate this guy's books", these comments are death when you want to learn something well. So Pacific Northwest Person, maybe you have a personal beef with the author, nobody has argued with you because we silently read our copy of "Electronic Principles" knowing we have the best book available on the subject.
So, yeah its an AWESOME book!!

Rating:
Summary: great explanations.. but very basic
Review: some of the explanations (actually.. a lot of the explanations) are amazing.. but the analysis is basic...

he shouldn't use the first (ideal) approximation to show us clipps, clampers, etc. etc...

many times in the book.. the ideal approximation is used... which is only good for troubleshooting...

Rating:
Summary: Builds strong foundation
Review: This text is simply the best. It explains the theory behind semiconductors in a manner that the reader will understand (if he puts his mind to it). The explanations are clear, but the author occasionally simplifies them when they get too 'technical' (as in involving alot of physics & math). The text is also interspersed with appropriate diagrams to illustrate the ideas and concepts explained (it does so very well).

Besides providing the theoratical framework, the author also touches on application and gives advice on troubleshooting.

I feel that the approach taken by the author is suitable for 1st yr electronic students, because it focuses on the CONCEPTS & not just the math portions. After getting the concepts right, the student can then deal with the mathematical aspect more rigorously through the use of intermediate (often terse) texts.
Because intermediate texts are terse, you need a good foundation to understand them, that is why you need to buy this book!

Rating:
Summary: An excellent book - albeit only for the beginner
Review: To begin with, this book is amazing. The basics have been explained very well in this book. Ok, so it lacks in the more advanced level analysis. However this book cares to explain details which many other books such as Boylestad would just consider for granted leaving readers in the lurch - not that Boylestad is a bad book, its good too. What I'd suggest for an undergrad student, is that they first read from this book and then move on to higher level books - books that include more mathematical analysis and problems. This is how I did it and frankly I owe everything to this book. The book will serve as a lifelong reference book. Its a masterpiece.