Electronics from First principles: Preface

Electronics, the study of circuits and how they work, have held my interest for more than four decades.  There is something fascinating about what can be accomplished with electrical circuits.  I have had the good fortune to be involved with electronics as a hobbyist, technician, and design engineer over the course of my life.  Being involved in the field of electronics has been, and is, rewarding both personally and professionally.

The number of behaviors circuits can have, and the problems that can be solved with a properly designed circuit, are nearly limitless.  There is almost something magical about what can be accomplished.  The life we lead is made possible, in no small way, by an understanding of electrical theory.

Most people have no understanding of how circuits work.  Take something seemingly simple and common place, a radio for instance, and think about what is going on.  How does it work?  Most people can describe how to operate a radio and have some appreciation for that fact that there is a transmitter (the radio station) and a receiver (the radio), but they are completely clueless about why a radio works.

This book was written to share some of what I learned over the years.  A large number of books have been written that cover what this book covers.  Each has its own style.  This books adds another approach, or a different style of explanation, to the mix with the hope that the way in which it is written will help readers connect with this fascinating and important field.