I previously posted about Forrest M. Mims III’s Getting Started in Electronics, one of the best books out there for someone who wants a thorough, yet unintimidating introduction to electronic components and circuits.

From the mid-1980’s through the late 1990’s, Forrest Mims also published several mini-notebooks, each dedicated to a specific topic in electronics.  Each mini-notebook contains 50 pages of circuits, electronic concepts, and project ideas.

The complete set includes:

• 555 Timer Circuits
• Basic Semiconductor Circuits
• Communications Projects
• Digital Logic Circuits
• Environmental Projects
• Formulas, Tables, and Basic Circuits
• Magnet and Sensor Projects
• Op-amp IC Circuits
• Optoelectronic Circuits
• Schematic Symbols, Device Packages, Design and Testing
• Science Projects
• Sensor Projects
• Solar Cell Projects

I had a few of the originals when I was growing up and wish I had kept more of them.  I specially remember reading the Optoelectronics Circuits Mini-Notebook in High School.  I attempted to build the optical communicator entirely with parts from Radio Shack, which was very difficult 15 years ago, and would be pretty much impossible today!

Updated/compiled versions of the notebooks are available on Forrest Mims’ website, but many of the originals can be found used for less than a few bucks each on amazon.com.