Stan Gibilisco is a professional technical writer who specializes in books on electronics and science topics. He is the author of The Encyclopedia of Electronics, The McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Personal Computing, and The Illustrated Dictionary of Electronics, as well as over 20 other technical books. His published works have won numerous awards. The Encyclopedia of Electronics was chosen a "Best Reference Book of the 1980s" by the American Library Association, which also named his McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Personal Computing a "Best Reference of 1996."

Introduction
1 The Master Plan
Block Diagrams
Schematic Diagrams
Schematic Symbology
Component Interconnections
A Visual Language
2 Block Diagrams
A Simple Example
Functional Drawings
Current and Signal Paths
Flowcharts
Process Paths
Summary
3 Components and Devices
Resistors
Capacitors
Inductors and Transformers
Switches and Relays
Conductors and Cables
Diodes and Transistors
Operational Amplifiers
Electron Tubes
Electrochemical Cells and Batteries
Logic Gates
Summary
4 Simple Circuits
Getting Started
Component Labeling
Troubleshooting with Schematics
A More Sophisticated Diagram
Schematic/Block Hybrids
A Vacuum-Tube RF Amplifier
Three Basic Logic Circuits
Summary
5 Complex Circuits
Identifying the Building Blocks
Page Breaks
Some More Circuits
Getting Comfortable with Large Schematics
Op Amp Circuits
Summary
6 Diagrams for Building And Testing
Your Breadboard
Wire Wrapping
Kirchhoff's Current Law
Kirchhoff's Voltage Law
A Resistive Voltage Divider
A Diode-Based Voltage Reducer
Mismatched Lamps in Series
A Compass-Based Galvanometer
Summary and Conclusion
A Schematic Symbols
B Resistor Color Codes
C Parts Suppliers
Suggested Additional Reading
Index