After several attempts in the early '80s to get into electronics (which included reading several electronics books and enrollment in a correspondence course for electronics technician), I was in a world of hurting and frustration trying to make sense of what I was reading and learning in electronics. Then, one day I happened to catch a glimpse of the textbook of one of the students of an electronics school in San Francisco in 1984. It read "Electronic Principles." I hurriedly went to the closest bookstore downtown and purchased one. I didn't even know about this book, but it was a risk I had to take. I just wanted to learn electronics. It was one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life. Because of Dr. Malvino's book, a whole new world of electronics opened up in front of my eyes. That book was so easy to understand and the numerous examples, diagrams, and troubleshooting problems and tips only reinforced the learning process. I have never read a book that explained the theory on transistors like this book has done; a truly remarkable, detailed, yet crystal clear explanation of operation and design of transistor circuits. The knowledge that I acquired from reading this outstanding book, helped me in my career in the military (mechanical maintenance which included some electrical and electronics systems)for the next twenty something years. Without this book, I would not have pursued such a strong interest in electronics. My most sincere gratitude to you, Dr. Malvino. I still have that 3rd edition on my book shelf, always ready for quick reference. Now that I am about to retire from the military, what would be a better way to enjoy retirement than rekindle my electronics interest. Yes, I had to buy a more updated edition of Dr. Malvino's Electronic Principles book: the 6th edition. As I expected, this book made the mark. Like my old trusty, 3rd edition, it is very easy to understand, and it just makes you want to keep on reading it. An advice for anyone who wants to learn and enjoy electronics without brain torture: Get one of Dr. Malvino's "Electronic Principles" books, and read and learn it by heart. You will not get disappointed.

I'm just teaching myself electronics in order to be able to understand and design circuits for musical analog synthesizers, a new hobby I took up a few months ago. As an engineering professor (albeit, thankfully, in a totally unrelated field) I have access to an excellent university library, and I checked out a bunch of basic textbooks on electronics, including Malvino's 3rd edition (1984). This book absolutely blows me away. Anyone who works through this book from cover to cover will learn electronics, almost in spite of himself! I started by trying to work through Horowitz and Hill, but I just wasn't getting it. Then I went back to Grob to brush up on some basics (most importantly, dc and ac theory, reactance vs resistance in particular), and then graduated on to Malvino.

Everything which is unclear in any book you've ever read on electronics is rendered clear and simple in Malvino. The chapters on biasing transistors and coupling and designing simple transistor amplifiers stand out for me in particular for taking a subject which is typically only glossed over in other books and breaking it down to its basic fundamentals, each step illustrated by a nice example, and reinforced with several back-of-chapter problems (with answers to the odd-numbered ones provided in the back of the book -- how about that, Horowitz and Hill?!?!? -- what good are practice problems if you don't know whether you obtained the right answer or not?!?!?).

I can't really speak to the latest edition, but if its anything like the 3rd, then buy it without hesitation! I only wish that the textbooks I have to use in my own classes were written half as well.

This is a really amazing introduction to analog design. It does not dwell into all the mathematics, but it gives you a really good intuitive understanding of all the major subjects of analog electronics. This is surely one of the best books to get started with. This author also has another book on the digital side which is also amazing. It tells you how computers work.

I bought this book (6th edition) solely due to the overwhelmingly positive and glowing amazon reviews- but I must say, I'm quite disappointed.

Principles explains basic Analog electronics in a simplified manner that's less theoretical (i.e. less mathematical) and more practical than other popular texts such as Microelectronics by Sedra/Smith. The writing style is fairly clear and it has an attractive full-color display. However, I did not find it exceptional in this regard- there ARE other textbooks that explain the same theory at a similar level of difficulty (maybe that wasn't true 20 years ago).

The problem for me is that an inordinate amount of this book is about transistor theory and low-level transistor design. It does not cover digital electronics at all (except for a brief discussion on CMOS).

Very few electrical engineers today do much low-level analog design (unless you work for TI, maxim, linear, etc)- most of us are consumers of Integrated circuits. What's needed is a textbook that explains the key device parameters (and the design implications for SYSTEM applications) and how to interpret datasheets, etc. Unfortunately, every textbook, including this one, I've seen are mostly useless to the practicing engineer in this respect. You're better off downloading application notes from different vendor websites than spending $100 on this.

I would recommend something like "Practical Electronics for Inventors" instead- despite the many typos, it's an affordable book that covers analog and digital electronics. This book is too long (too dense to make a good reference) and for what it offers, WAY too expensive.

I bought this book (6th edition) solely due to the overwhelmingly positive reviews on this site- but I must say, I'm disappointed.

Principles explains basic analog electronics in a simplified manner that's less theoretical (i.e. less mathematical) and more practical than most other books. The writing style is fairly clear and it has an attractive full-color display. However, I did not find it exceptional in this regard- there ARE other textbooks that explain the same theory at a similar level of difficulty (maybe that wasn't true 20 years ago).

The problem for me is that most of the book is about transistor theory and low-level transistor design. It does not cover digital electronics at all (except for a brief discussion on CMOS).

Very few electrical engineers today do much low-level analog design (unless you work for TI, maxim, linear, etc)- most of us are consumers of other Integrated circuits. What's needed is a textbook that explains the key device parameters (and the design implications) and how to interpret datasheets, etc. Unfortunately, every textbook, including this one, I've seen are mostly useless to the practicing engineer in this regard. You're better off downloading application notes from different vendor websites.

I would recommend something like Electronics for Inventors instead- despite the many typos, it's an economical book that covers analog and digital electronics. This book is too long (too dense to make a good reference) and for what it offers, WAY too expensive.

but this is a very well written book that explains electronics very well.

First off, I already had graduated with an AAS degree in electronics technology before I got this book. A relative borrowed it to me after I graduated. I was amazed with how much more electronics made sense to me after I read this. I thought I had a good foundation, but my school really only touched on some principles, and had us memorize equations. Dr. Malvino does as excellent job of covering all the fundamentals, and in a way that makes perfect sense. You name it; transistors, op amps, FETs, filters, etc.; they all made perfect sense to me after I read this book. I could actually understand how all those equations I learned were derived, and why electronic devices function the way they do. Thanks to Dr. Malvino's book, I can say I actually understand electronics, something my schooling didn't do for me.

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!

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.

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.