I'm looking for a good circuit design book that covers real, actual
circuit design. I'd rather it not be a textbook - I don't need to
solve problems. I need a book that covers MOSFETs, transistors,
transformers, diodes, opamps, and the other common stuff with lots of
examples of input/output designs that perform real functions. I'd like
to get something that is somewhat easy to get through. Again,
something practical is best, theory is not important. Let me know if I
can clarify.

Hi, thank you for submitting your question to Answers.Google, I hope I
can provide just the information you are seeking.

The answer to your need is just around the corner at the local Radio
Shack. OK, I know, but hear me out.

Forrest Mims, recipient of The Rolex Award for Armature Scientist of
the year, consultant to NASA, and the personal choice of the one
former Scientific American columnists to write the experimental column
in each issue, has written the definitive set of basic how-to books
for Tandy Corp.

These feature the parts available at Radio Shack, but those are
generic components and there is no need to restrict your purchases to
Radio Shack stores.

His books are mostly step-by-step, hands-on guides to building usable
circuits, exactly what you say you are looking for.

Forrest is one of the world?s premier armature scientists and has, for
example, developed a simple, hand-held device which measures the ozone
layer as well as massively-expensive NASA satellites. Although I know
Forrest, that isn?t my opinion, it is backed up by the fact that NASA
pays him to lecture their people.

In fact, Forrest showed NASA that their satellite readings were
erroneous and he became a consultant to NASA, The National Science
Teacher's Association, the Concord Consortium, Radio Shack and the
GLOBE program

I suggest you look over his booklets at the local Radio Shack, then go
to Amazon.com to see more of his publications and pick the ones best
suited to your needs. You will probably want more than one to cover
all the topics you mention.

Forrest is not heavy on theory, he is a very practical writer which is
exactly what you asked about.

You can find impartial reviews of his books on Amazon, for example,
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1878707493/102-4664423-0524931

Some are negative which can be very informative, but you will note
that most are extremely positive.

Google search term: radio shack forrest mims
://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGLD,GGLD:2004-43,GGLD:en&q=radio+shack+forrest+mims

For further information, see:

hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/ hbase/electric/eleref.html

www.iscienceproject.com/experts/5608_ce1_mims.html

www.forrestmims.org/pages/ 3/page3.html?refresh=1104625933489

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0945053320/ref=pd_sbs_b_1/102-4664423-0524931?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0945053304/ref=pd_sbs_b_2/102-4664423-0524931?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance

Thank you again for turning to Answers.Google for help. Although I
know Forrest, I have no financial dealings with him and would not in
any way profit from anyone purchasing his books. I feel that, since
you can look at some in every Radio Shack, you can easily determine
for yourself it they are what you want but, it is my opinion thatthey
should exactly meet your stated needs.

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Request for Answer Clarification by justwannaknow-ga on 29 Jan 2005 10:58 PST

Thanks for the answer, I'll look into the books before I leave you a
rating or payment. The only reason for this is because it seems like
the negative amazon responses are from people trying to get a
refresher course in design (the kind of people who at one point really
learned this stuff, like me) and the positive ones seem to be from
newbies trying out their first bit of circuit design (not me). If you
have anymore suggestions, feel free to tack them on. Thanks a lot!

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Clarification of Answer by siliconsamurai-ga on 29 Jan 2005 11:24 PST

Hi, by all means check the books out first, but remember that he has
published many books, not just the ones at Radio Shack (yes, as
someone who once taught math to EE majors, I cringe at the thought
also). You didn't mention that you were already a trained engineer but
that should actually make things easier because you will be able to
add your knowledge to the practical plans Forrest publishes.

If you feel his books aren't appropriate I will support any claim you
make for a refund.

I have a shelf of EE books in my library and still turn to Forrest's
books for any practical application.

I don't think I can offer any more suggestions unless you can be more
specific about what you want to build (and perhaps not even then).

Good luck.

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Clarification of Answer by siliconsamurai-ga on 29 Jan 2005 11:29 PST

My apologies, Forrest's site reports that most Radio Shacks no longer
carry any books so you may have to turn to eBay or Amazon.com.

You can also buy them directly from http://www.forrestmims.com/.

There are also mini-engineer notebooks which may be exactly what you
are looking for.

http://www.forrestmims.com/engineers_mini_notebook.html

Every lab has a well thumbed copy of ?Horowitz and Hill: The Art Of
Electronics?. Doesn?t  cover everything, nothing can, but excellent
foundation. Not cheap, and desperately needs a new edition, but still
the biz.

Best